oscar question

[paul_28]

some people have oscars in tanks that are 12 inches or 15 inches wide. if an adult oscar wants to turn around in tank is he quite flexy and able to do the turn with out struggling? i know they recommend 18 inches wide to play safe here.

[gary007]

hey man i have a suggestion the 40g breeder 36x18x18 and its said to be better than 55g tanks because of more width. but u will need 75g at later stage for adult oscar, thats what the experts say lol

[-DC-]

you need a 75 gallon MIN for an adult these are big and active fish,

a 40G breeder would make an excellent starter tank for an Oscar, room when young is important or growth, but when adult movement is only one issue hey also are messy producing allot of bio load foot print is one thing but you still need water to handle the bio load or you run into health issues.

In my honest opinion if you want an Oscar get a big tank right from the start then , it can grow up happy and healthy there is no chance of it ending up stuck in a small tank or homeless due to lack of space or change in plans. And if you can't do a big tank now then pick one of the other thousands of options that only grow half as large !

[eternity302]

wOW! Nice tank you got there!

I agree with you.. I have a foot print of 12" wide and I wish I'd got something bigger! He doesn't seem uncomfortable in there as he's always happy and happy, but I'd wish I got him something bigger as he doesn't seem to stop growing.

[-DC-]

if healthy he wont stop growing, stunning is a myth, if they stunt it's the first step in dying not just a small healthy animal.

[eternity302]

btw... i see a aro hiding on the top left =)

[-DC-]

guy pictured above was an adoption, previous owners found he had outgrown the tank, he was raised from 2" in a 90 gallon with mixed tank mates. Traded him for some mixed Mbuna fry , more suitable for a 90g setup.
He had infections on his face, previous owner though it damage/scar tissue and since it staid like that for several years they didn’t worry.
It’s all cleared up but now but is a good example, 90g gave him room to move, but the water quality was poor because of the bio load, Oscars do require good water quality as they are prone to HITH

Edit : Yup One of his tank mates is an Asian RTG Aro,

[240sx]

DC has great advice, listen to him.

Search the forum, there is so much great advice here!

I've kept my Albino Oscar alive and healthy for 8+ years now, started him in an 80 gallon and now in a 6 x 18 130 gallon. I really wish I held out and spent the money for a 6 x 2 180 but that would of cost twice as much. Oscars are big fish and deserve big tanks.