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emc7 · 04-02-2008, 01:14 AM

31, 14, 17 in inches. Yes, they are messy fish and yes, you can compensate for an undersized tank with frequent (probably daily) water changes. But would you want to. Treat this fish right and it will get 12" long. It will go 3 fish lengths, turn around and go back. Not my idea of ideal conditions. People on this board commonly say 70 gallons is a minimum for one happy oscar.

IMO oscars join goldfish, pacu, common plecos and many others on the list of fish local stores should not stock. They ought to be special order only after you show proof of 90 gallon aquarium and adequate filtration.

So, in conclusion people do keep oscars in tanks that size, but no one is going to recommend it. Most likely you'd miss a few water changes and it would croak and then you could get some most appropriate fish.

The things people like most about oscars (their intelligence, the way they pay attention to people) are common to most south and central American cichlids. Get one convict, or a firemouth, a severum, an acara. Any medium (5-7") cichlid and keep it alone and you will have a wet pet that will welcome you and even learn tricks.

04-02-2008, 01:14 AM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,296	31, 14, 17 in inches. Yes, they are messy fish and yes, you can compensate for an undersized tank with frequent (probably daily) water changes. But would you want to. Treat this fish right and it will get 12" long. It will go 3 fish lengths, turn around and go back. Not my idea of ideal conditions. People on this board commonly say 70 gallons is a minimum for one happy oscar. IMO oscars join goldfish, pacu, common plecos and many others on the list of fish local stores should not stock. They ought to be special order only after you show proof of 90 gallon aquarium and adequate filtration. So, in conclusion people do keep oscars in tanks that size, but no one is going to recommend it. Most likely you'd miss a few water changes and it would croak and then you could get some most appropriate fish. The things people like most about oscars (their intelligence, the way they pay attention to people) are common to most south and central American cichlids. Get one convict, or a firemouth, a severum, an acara. Any medium (5-7") cichlid and keep it alone and you will have a wet pet that will welcome you and even learn tricks. Last edited by emc7; 04-02-2008 at 01:38 AM.