need some oscar help!

[systemx29]

I'm SUPER new to aquariums. I'm going to be totally honost, as the way i got into aquariums is an interesting one. I was sitting in my dorm room, a little drunk with some friends when we started talking about buying pirahnas and daring people to stick their hands in. Something about carniverous fish has always interested me, and the next morning, i decided i wanted to go out and get one.

I went to the local petshop and bought a 10g kit and a baby oscar, which is affectionatly named rufus. Everyone thought i was just pulling a stunt, when, in actuality, i really wanted to set up an aquarium. its been 3 months now, and rufus is doing well, minus the fact that i was nieve and didnt realize how big he grows. He is living with a snook, a suckerfish(i have no idea what they are named) and an electric blue lobster. Luckily, they are all still under 5" and i should be able to get them home to a larger tank before i start to have real issues. I'm planning on trying to get a 55 or larger tank to transfer rufus to, hopefully with the boss(the lobster). I have a friend who is interested in taking the snook and sucker off my hands, and if he wont, there is a great petstore nearby that i can give them to.

I have a few questions though. firstly, can an oscar grow to its full size in a 55g? how about a 75g? Next, i keep reading more and more about things to create current, etc. i'm basically lost in the lingo. I'd really like some guidence when it comes to a filter for the tank, aswell as anything else i should know. I recently won a battle against a horrific case of ich, thanks to feeder fish. I know this seems a little rushed, and i'm sure i'm coming across as a stupid kid that wants a violent fish, but i have to insist that i'm not. I am truly captivated by my oscars intelligence, and have spent many a night watching him for hours. I'd like to get him into a proper home and have him live a nice long life. currently, he's living on a diet of chichlid food and the occasional bloodworm or brine ship cube.

sorry for the terrible picture, it was taken with the webcam on my macbook, but thats rufus, my oscar.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v362/74/4/648785061/n648785061_4253212_2517.jpg

[faun]

Its good that you are planning to upgrade i would go with the 75g asap as oscars grow super quick. Also if you want to feed live fish you should only do this as a treat ocassionaly and when your 10g is empty you can use it to breed your own feeders which will mean that you won't risk transfering illness into your oscar again.

[Dexmaster]

Get the 75g and the proper filtration stuff and everything should be good

[Lupin]

:welcome: to AC!

A 75g would be the minimum for one oscar. They can grow as big as 14 inches depending on how you take care of them. Oscars are great fish. Unfortunately, like you did, many people do not realize how big they tend to get. It is always a good idea to research further before you buy your fish.

As a side note, your 10g will serve as a quarantine tank or hospital tank, should you wish to continue keeping your oscar and opt to get a 75g for him. Always quarantine every new fish you get no matter who your source is. Whether it be feeder fish or not, the fish still has to be quarantined. We cannot rely on our instincts or confidence towards our sources to tell us our fish are free from pathogens that will destroy your current livestocks.

Now, as for the suckerfish, is this Chinese algae eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)? Chinese algae eaters tend to be efficient algae eaters but only in their juvenile stage. As they grow, they begin to resort on protein-based foods. The slime coating of any fish is often targetted as slime coat does provide a protein diet for them. This has to be avoided because damage of the slime coat can render your fish helpless and vulnerable to skin diseases and other pathogens. Chnese algae eaters grow to 10 inches. Their growth rate must not be underestimated as well as their temperament. They are nasty by nature as adults and will harass anyone to death.

Now, about your electric blue lobster, the term "lobster" and "crayfish" are quite synonymous although in freshwater, we use the term "crayfish" and we will exactly use this word from hereon. Your crayfish is most likely the Procambarus allenii. Please keep all crayfish separated from your fish. Crayfish are ambush predators and will nt hesitate to harm your oscar. Either the oscar or the crayfish tries each other first, neither will survive.

If you haven't yet, please read the sticky thread "Cycling Methods" by rbishop in Freshwater Newbie forum. If you have any more questios, please feel free to ask.

[systemx29]

:welcome: to AC!

A 75g would be the minimum for one oscar. They can grow as big as 14 inches depending on how you take care of them. Oscars are great fish. Unfortunately, like you did, many people do not realize how big they tend to get. It is always a good idea to research further before you buy your fish.

As a side note, your 10g will serve as a quarantine tank or hospital tank, should you wish to continue keeping your oscar and opt to get a 75g for him. Always quarantine every new fish you get no matter who your source is. Whether it be feeder fish or not, the fish still has to be quarantined. We cannot rely on our instincts or confidence towards our sources to tell us our fish are free from pathogens that will destroy your current livestocks.

Now, as for the suckerfish, is this Chinese algae eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri)? Chinese algae eaters tend to be efficient algae eaters but only in their juvenile stage. As they grow, they begin to resort on protein-based foods. The slime coating of any fish is often targetted as slime coat does provide a protein diet for them. This has to be avoided because damage of the slime coat can render your fish helpless and vulnerable to skin diseases and other pathogens. Chnese algae eaters grow to 10 inches. Their growth rate must not be underestimated as well as their temperament. They are nasty by nature as adults and will harass anyone to death.

Now, about your electric blue lobster, the term "lobster" and "crayfish" are quite synonymous although in freshwater, we use the term "crayfish" and we will exactly use this word from hereon. Your crayfish is most likely the Procambarus allenii. Please keep all crayfish separated from your fish. Crayfish are ambush predators and will nt hesitate to harm your oscar. Either the oscar or the crayfish tries each other first, neither will survive.

If you haven't yet, please read the sticky thread "Cycling Methods" by rbishop in Freshwater Newbie forum. If you have any more questios, please feel free to ask.

well, that would explain why my crayfish and my fish play constantly. my oscar is definatly bigger than him, but they do sneak up on each other pretty regularly and nip. I'll get rip of him asap though, i like my oscar too much to put him at risk.

would i be able to keep my snook and oscar together in the same 75g tank? lastly, is there anything i need for a 75g tank besides filter, heater, thermometer?

[faun]

Remember that oscars have a huge bioload so over filtration s the way to go. Also when you get a new heater for the bigger tank make sure you get an unbreakable heater as oscars can easily break glass heaters.

[systemx29]

Remember that oscars have a huge bioload so over filtration s the way to go. Also when you get a new heater for the bigger tank make sure you get an unbreakable heater as oscars can easily break glass heaters.
haha, i meant to ask about that.

when my heater died, rufus rammed into it alot, enough that i decided to check it. he also has a thing for biting my thermometer and making it hit the side of the tank and make noise at 5am.

whats a good online aquarium supply place?

[faun]

Well it depends where you are i'm in the UK and i use www.fishandfins.co.uk if you live somewhere else you will need to wait for someone else to give you a good site.

[Lupin]

well, that would explain why my crayfish and my fish play constantly. my oscar is definatly bigger than him, but they do sneak up on each other pretty regularly and nip. I'll get rip of him asap though, i like my oscar too much to put him at risk.

would i be able to keep my snook and oscar together in the same 75g tank? lastly, is there anything i need for a 75g tank besides filter, heater, thermometer?
I'd keep only the oscar. If you do wish to get him a tankmate, try a pleco. Make sure the pleco can defend itself well enough and should grow no bigger than 8 inches. Provide caves for it to hide. Search in www.planetcatfish.com (http://www.planetcatfish.com) for your options. Avoid the common plecos such as Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps, Pterygoplichthys pardalis and a few other species often sold as "common pleco" or simply "pleco". Remember plecos also contribute heavy bioload so you will need to maximize your filtration capacity and do more water changes. I am leaving the filtration brand options to others as what I am using will differ from the rest of the world.;)

[67chevelle]

Here are some online pet stores,
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/?ref=4397&subref=AA&s_kwcid=dr%20foster%20and%20smith%20com|914620521

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS275US276&q=big+als+fish+store

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/index.web?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=that_pet_place

As the others have said,75 gallons is the best tank for a single Oscar,and a pleco is probably the best tank mate.These are both large and messy fish so you should double the filters you would normally use in a 75g tank.I would use 2 Marineland Emperor 400 myself.You will also need to do at least weekly water changes.Buying a Python siphon will make this much easier and faster.I would also not keep fish with a crayfish.It is quite surprising they are both still alive.You can keep the crayfish alone in the 10g once you get your larger tank for your Oscar.I would stop feeding your Oscars feeders all together.They have hardly any nutritional value,and are a common cause for HITH (hole in the head) disease in Cichlids,more commonly in Oscars.
Marienland visi therm stealth heaters have a lifetime guarantee,and are shatterproof,that is the heater I would go with.

[excuzzzeme]

Along with HITH, Oscars are prone to LLE (Lateral Line Erosion). They sometimes go hand-in-hand and are symptomatic of poor water quality. If it's not too late, try to re-home all the fish or return to LFS until you are better suited for proper care. Failing that, follow the advice given and get a 75 gallon tank if you want to keep them.Oscars grow very quickly and gain 1-2 inches a month or more. a 55 is NOT recommended as they are only 13" front to back and 15" Oscars don't fold.

I keep one Oscar (15"+/-), one 12" Pleco, one 4 inch Pink Convict in a 90 gallon tank that is filtered by an Emperor 400 AND an Aquaclear 500. (A 90 is a slightly taller 75, same foot print). This constitutes a "full tank" based on bio-load alone. It requres 1-2 water changes EVERY WEEK. My other Oscar is kept with 3 other 8" fish in a 6ft, 100 gallon tank. It is filtered by a wet/dry (sump) AND an Emperor 400.

None of my fish are fed feeders other than the occasional guppy or convict fry that I raise myself. You have bought race cars and using a driveway for the race strip - it just doesn't work nor does pump gas. Yes Oscars are great fish and I can pet mine as well as hand-feed them. They also greet me when I walk into the room. They are like having a dog except they are wet and can't roam or pee on the carpet. There are many quality hobbyists that will rehome your fish if need be. My Oscars came to me from a friend that had to move. The original owner was like any other pet owner and wanted to make sure I had the proper equipment before he gave them to me. Learn from this and make sure you do plenty of research on any pet you might like to have before you get one.

The only snoook I know of get huge and sorry to say can't offer you any help there.

Good luck.

[systemx29]

well, i'm currently talking to someone about picking up a 75gal tank, so hopefully the ball gets rolling on that.

I'm very aware of the issue i have at hand now. theres no need to remind me. Hopefully, i can ship my oscar back home, or drive him home with me. the other fish will most likely end up back at the pet shop. so aside from filter and heater, is anything else needed for the tank?

[Lupin]

Thermometer
API liquid test kit
Battery-operated airpump
Algae scraper
Gravel vacuum

[Neervana]

An oscar should not be housed in anything apart from 75 gal *minimum* growout, IMO. you will do yourself a favour if you get a 90gal + tank with wcs once a week and heavy filtration...they can grow out and become huge with the right amount of space and good feeding!

[systemx29]

An oscar should not be housed in anything apart from 75 gal *minimum* growout, IMO. you will do yourself a favour if you get a 90gal + tank with wcs once a week and heavy filtration...they can grow out and become huge with the right amount of space and good feeding!
i would love to get him in a 90gallon tank, but i just dont have the room, flatout. i have the perfect spot for a 75, but i went and looked at tanks today and i just dont have the space for a 90. I'm going to try to set up a tank over christmas break and mail him home as soon as i can, because the next chance i have to drive him is may. I can mail him home in january with ease.

[Neervana]

well i think its lovely you are making an effort to give him the proper care he needs. also try to feed him your own bred feeders such as mollies and guppies, mine gets that from time to time. then wean him into white fish, and a good staple such as hikari gold - if you do this from when he is at a young age you will not need to worry about HITH as you will have formed a habit of feeding him the right food...oscars are not meant to for bloodworms and flakes...their mouthes are too big for dainty bloodworms ;)

[systemx29]

well i think its lovely you are making an effort to give him the proper care he needs. also try to feed him your own bred feeders such as mollies and guppies, mine gets that from time to time. then wean him into white fish, and a good staple such as hikari gold - if you do this from when he is at a young age you will not need to worry about HITH as you will have formed a habit of feeding him the right food...oscars are not meant to for bloodworms and flakes...their mouthes are too big for dainty bloodworms ;)
I'm in love with my oscar, its the wierdest thing. I cant let him go, haha. the fact that he knows when i'm gunna feed him, and gets excited when my roomate or i walk into the room is just too much to handle, he's so awesome.

yepp, thats my plan. i'm gunna set up my 10 as a tank for my sister most likey, with some little fish, breed them, and use them as feeders. can i also double that tank as quarentine?

[RiftLakeRosco]

if u have the "perfect spot" for a 75, then u have the "perfect spot" for a 90. same exact base size. just 4" taller......

[systemx29]

if u have the "perfect spot" for a 75, then u have the "perfect spot" for a 90. same exact base size. just 4" taller......

really?

the 90 i saw was a bit longer than the 75 they had.

[excuzzzeme]

A 75 is 48 x18 x 21 3/8 and a 90 is 48 x 18 x 25 3/8. Those 4" are a lot of water for messy fish. It could make the difference of 1 fish or 3. For filtration ideally you want 10x an hour for HOB's for fish like these. Canisters are better and can handle more with a smaller turnover.

Make sure that you also have a good fitting cover even if it's just wire as Oscars can and WILL jump if they get a chance. Mine will jump up and take food from my hand.

We are not trying to belabor any points made or to kick you while you are down. It is more of a case of supporting what other members have said so that you will know it's not just one person's opinion. There is too much conflicting info out there and we would be upset to hear that something preventable happened based on bad info.

We do congratulate you that you are taking this serious now. I think we are over the shock of you saying "I got into this because I was drunk".

Now that you have one, join us as an AC Oscar Club Member! (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163778)

[systemx29]

A 75 is 48 x18 x 21 3/8 and a 90 is 48 x 18 x 25 3/8. Those 4" are a lot of water for messy fish. It could make the difference of 1 fish or 3. For filtration ideally you want 10x an hour for HOB's for fish like these. Canisters are better and can handle more with a smaller turnover.

Make sure that you also have a good fitting cover even if it's just wire as Oscars can and WILL jump if they get a chance. Mine will jump up and take food from my hand.

We are not trying to belabor any points made or to kick you while you are down. It is more of a case of supporting what other members have said so that you will know it's not just one person's opinion. There is too much conflicting info out there and we would be upset to hear that something preventable happened based on bad info.

We do congratulate you that you are taking this serious now. I think we are over the shock of you saying "I got into this because I was drunk".

Now that you have one, join us as an AC Oscar Club Member! (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163778)

when you say 1 fish or 3, do you mean i could have 3 oscars, or 2 other fish with him?

when you say 10x hob, what do you mean?

can you reccomend any good canister filters?

should i contact the local petshop about shipping him home? otherwise he has to wait until may to get into a proper tank, versus january. and thats if he survives the 8+ hour car ride. I'm thinking overnighting him is a better choice...

I know i've got myself in a tough spot, and i knew everyone would be shocked. i was pretty ready for people to insist i give him up, but i was greeted with open arms for which i'm very thankful. I just wanna do right for the little(for now) guy.

[excuzzzeme]

3 fish meant in total and the other 2 you must be careful on your selection. It is difficult to find tankmates. Some you think will work may not, and some that are supposed enemies will work. Go figure.

By 10x I mean "a turnover rate of 10 times and hour". HOB = Hang on Back Filter. For canisters, Eheim and Rena make decent ones as does Fluval but I think Fluvals are a bit over-priced. Canisters hold more filtering media and that is why it takes less gallons per hour turnover.

You are between a rock and a hard spot. The information has been provided to help you make an informed decision. The actual decision is up to you. All we can do is to provide advice and what would be right for us may not be right for you. Don't mean to cop out, but you need to review and then decide as you know best what you can or can't accomplish.

[systemx29]

3 fish meant in total and the other 2 you must be careful on your selection. It is difficult to find tankmates. Some you think will work may not, and some that are supposed enemies will work. Go figure.

By 10x I mean "a turnover rate of 10 times and hour". HOB = Hang on Back Filter. For canisters, Eheim and Rena make decent ones as does Fluval but I think Fluvals are a bit over-priced. Canisters hold more filtering media and that is why it takes less gallons per hour turnover.

You are between a rock and a hard spot. The information has been provided to help you make an informed decision. The actual decision is up to you. All we can do is to provide advice and what would be right for us may not be right for you. Don't mean to cop out, but you need to review and then decide as you know best what you can or can't accomplish.

accomplishing it isnt an issue. I just want to ensure that i have the proper equiptment and things he needs. I could go online, or call a pet shop, but its always better to get the advice from the actual users.

[excuzzzeme]

Not knowing what tank you are picking up makes it hard to guess at the *correct* filter. You certainly won't go wrong with an AquaClear110. it flows almost 500gallons an hour. It will create enough surface agitation that a wavemaker or other circulation device is not needed. As long as this remains unplanted (Oscars like to tear up plants) then it would work well. An unbreakable heater is also needed. My O likes to play with one of the heaters in his tank (I have 2). Figure on 3 watts per gallon and you should be OK. Canister recommendation depends on tank size XP3, or Eheim 2217 should suffice as well as Marineland C360.


I use Foster and Smith (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/shop.cfm?c=3578) pet supplies and have had good luck with them. Kens Fish (http://www.kensfish.com/) has good prices and is another reputable seller.

[MountainMan]

An Oscar can survive in a 55g but I would highly recommend against it. Oscars reach their full potential in 90g plus tanks.I would recommend a canister filter for anything more then a 75g. I would also recommend a highly veried diet. I feed a mixture of Hikari Bio Gold and Hikari cichlid staple. As well as frozen krill and bloodworms. A few treats he likes are: Oranges(remove the white stuff sorounding it), unsalted/unsweetened raisins, grapes(removing the covering), peas(remove the shell), and cucumbers(removing the outside). One that I have heard of but have never tried is dried unsalted nuts. All of those are the main part of an Oscar's diet in the wild and will help stimulate their curiosity.

[esparonisproud]

sweet oscar dude it looks like a longfined one to, get a 75 gallon with good filteration and im not too sure bout having lobsters with an oscar cuz they might seen as a snack later on..