To Those of You Who Keep Oscars

[darkangel]

I have a new 90 gallon fish tank that I'm working on setting up. I've decided I would like to have larger and fewer fish. I'm interested in Oscars. Now I've heard that you either keep one Oscar or you keep six because of their aggression towards each other. Since I only have 90 gallons and I don't plan on getting a several hundred gallon tank, I guess I'm only going to get one. What kind of tank mates would be suitable, besides Plecos? Any other information or advice you guys have from experience would be very valuable to me. Thanks

[Snakeman]

well my parents had oscars when i was little and i dont really remember how to take care of them. one thing i do remember is that oscars are capable of fighting with other fish so i dont know if it would be wise to house them with other fish.

[darkangel]

Well I think they have to be equally aggressive and large, so they're not eaten.

[elevatethis]

75 Gallons MINIMUM for one oscar.

They grow extremely fast. A lot of places recommend a 55 gal for one oscar...but to me that doesn't make sense. A 55 gal tank is what, 12 3/4" deep? Oscars grow to about a 12" in a year, and that would mean for an O to turn around 360 degrees, it would have less than 1/2" of clearance on either side...not good.

They are really cool fish though. They are the type of fish that's way more concerned about whats going on outside of their tank than anything else. They'll beg for food, definitely grow to recognize you.

We have an O and a 2 severum in 75 gallon in the reception area of the office I work in. Seems like he "greets" every person that walks by.

As far as aggression...totally depends on the individual fish. Some get along in groups, others don't. Unless you have a very large tank, as you said, I would stick with one. If you want to have a few tankmates, make sure you get them all at about the same size...Oscars generally are not very aggressive, they just use their size to intimidate other fish.

I say thumbs up to an O, they are great fish.

Hope that helps.

[JabbaTheMutts]

Please do some reading. It's one oscar per 50-75 gallons of water.

With a 90 gallon tank you can keep one oscar and noting else. They are my second love after bp's.

[darkangel]

I have done reading, I'm just asking for some personal experiences. I understand the adult size of Oscars, which is why I'm only planning on keeping one in a 90 gallon tank, are you telling me there is no room for a second tankmate?

Thanks for the info elevate this . That's one of the primary reasons I'm so intrigued by them -- they're more of a "pet" than just a fish in a tank. I love how the adult Oscars and Giant Gouramis engage me at my local fish store. Definetly very cool. Severums are interesting...

[elevatethis]

The two severum I have are just as personable as the O, but the O is still king of the tank. Severum are beautiful fish in their own right as well, but can be very timid.

[jglass38]

I had 2 Oscars in my 90 gallon and they did fine. Plenty of space to swim. They are awesome fish. Some people call them puppy dog fish. Hole in the head is a common problem with them so its extremely important to keep the water clean with quality filters (Eheims and Powerclears) and do your weekly water changes. I also used Melafix with every water change. It smells great and in my opinion helps to keep the fish healthy.

[Wild Bill]

I had 2 Oscars in my 90 gallon and they did fine. Plenty of space to swim. They are awesome fish. Some people call them puppy dog fish. Hole in the head is a common problem with them so its extremely important to keep the water clean with quality filters (Eheims and Powerclears) and do your weekly water changes. I also used Melafix with every water change. It smells great and in my opinion helps to keep the fish healthy.

I agree with Jamie, I had 2 oscars in a 90 gallon and they did great. It helps to raise them from a small size together. Water quality is VERY important and must be cleaned weekly. Oscars produce alot of waste and it can cause alot of ammonia and nitrites in a small period of time.

[jknudson]

Great advice guys, I agree. No need to regurge what you guys already said!

-Jason