View Full Version : o0o0o! I found it, but need some advice!
SO I was looking at Petsmart the other day, and they had a ton of all black Oscars. Pretty sweet really. The one I want is already about 5 inches, and It looked really beat up, but I love its coloration!
Now for the question:
How long could I keep the Oscar in a 55gal?
Coler
07-07-2008, 11:51 AM
I'm gonna put this over into cichlids so that the O heads will catch it :)
My pretty uninformed view though - he would be the only fish ? I'd say take him and see how he goes...I'm wondering whether the fact that he is 5 inches and a bit beat up (no doubt due to questionable care presently) would render him long term a smaller fish...and you would definitely be giving him a better home than he is presently in/likely to get...I suppose if he got longer than the tank is wide, or within a couple of inches of that...it would be uncomfortable...but I don't know how quickly that would be or even whether it is certain that he do so.
krytan
07-07-2008, 12:01 PM
Not for very long. Mine has been growing about 1" a month so if he's already 5" that would give you about 5 months before he needs a new tank.
Cory Keeper
07-07-2008, 12:02 PM
If it was the only fish in there, don't see a problem. A 75+ would be in order though. Kinda agree with Coler, It may wind up being an overall smaller fish, though still big, lol.
It will be the only fish in the tank. The poor guy was begging me to buy him! There are so many there too I wish I could buy them all. Someone want to donate a tank?;)
Mgamer20o0
07-07-2008, 10:28 PM
13 years
IMO if you want an oscar you should get a baby and grow him up if he's already 5" he might be stunted which will lead to health problems in the future.
Rbishop
07-08-2008, 4:49 AM
Though a 75s' larger depth woud be nice, the 55 would work, though not the best.
Well last night I went back and got the poor guy! He wasn't as black as I remember, but still he is still a nice looking fish (besides being beat up) He's in his new home and loving the swimming space! He's pretty active too, he constantly is playing with his reflections. Well, its more like attacking...but that's playing in Oscar talk;)
Thanks for all the advice. I plan on getting a bigger tank for him, very soon.
BigFishKeeper
07-08-2008, 7:22 AM
He maybe a common oscar. Got any pics?
Best of luck with him ! I would love to have an Oscar.
edit colouration thing could be just the move too.
oscarluvr
07-08-2008, 9:33 AM
lots of water changes max filtration, he will be ok, larger tank tho is always better.
wataugachicken
07-08-2008, 12:23 PM
there's no guarantee he'll stay black. mine didn't. when i got him he had no color except the eye spot on the tail. now he's got much more red.
I'm hoping he stays black, if not, I'm okay with that. He has a lot of green to him too. Is that normal for Oscars?
Here is a picture of him...you can see how beat up he is...
55499
cute lol.
He's basically pretty sound though, albeit with some fin damage. I bet that starts to resolve very quickly over the next couple of days with some tlc.
Good luck with him !
krytan
07-08-2008, 2:20 PM
Nice colours on your O' :)
It shouldn't take to long for his fins to heal, please keep us updated.
Of course I will keep you guys updated. Once I get him into a bigger tank, I will take some more pictures of him! Thanks for all your words of advice and encouragement!
SchizotypalVamp
07-08-2008, 3:16 PM
That is so awesome! Congrats on the rescue!
Mgamer20o0
07-08-2008, 3:47 PM
great 20 gal tank
cam191919
07-08-2008, 4:07 PM
nice little, or uh, big guy. good luck
Alright...got another question for you guys. I was feeding the Oscar today and he was making a lot of noise while eating. Is this common? It almost sounded like when my loaches make their ticking sound. I've never heard of an Oscar doing this...
Thanks guys!
Gordofish
07-10-2008, 3:13 AM
I had my baby oscar in 55g for a few months, they grow pretty fast the first year. Check your water parameters often though as they eat like pigs. I just moved him into my 100g and now he seems small. They are great fish, good luck with yours.
Rbishop
07-10-2008, 4:24 AM
Nice O...and beat up a bit. I haven't heard mine making noises like a loach, but that is beacuse they devour and splash like crazy at the surface!
pcfriedrich
07-10-2008, 11:04 AM
Though a 75s' larger depth woud be nice, the 55 would work, though not the best.
true. you could keep him in a 55 for life, but a 75 (or larger) would be ideal.