Setting up for an Oscar in a 55g

J

jinny

AC Members
Feb 20, 2005
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Hello!

I am thinking of adopting a 6-7 inch 'blueberry' oscar (owner believes this albino was dyed by someone. :/)

The oscar has a scar & ongoing case of hole in the head and a history of aggressiveness, which is why he is up for adoption.

If I were to get this character, I would keep him alone in a 55, but what does a lone oscar need to stay happy? :help:Any advice or directions to good advice about the hole in the head problem is appreciated. :)
 
Seems as the poor Oscar has had a hard enough life. The dying is hard on the fish as is HITH usually caused by poor diet and foul water conditions. I would advise not to adopt this guy unless you have a 75g MINIMUM for him othewise you arent going to be doing him any justice.
 
The lone oscar will be okay in the 55g for some time. Just make sure the water is maintained for the HITH.

Just give him open swim space.
 
gspille said:
The lone oscar will be okay in the 55g for some time. Just make sure the water is maintained for the HITH.

Just give him open swim space.
Click to expand...

The Oscar is already 6-7in. It will outgrow the 55g in 2-3 months. And water will be very difficult to maintain with an Oscar in a 55g. With HITH already you are looking at 50% daily water changes.
 
I know a lot of people say that the oscar is too big for the 55g, but I've kept a lone oscar in a one with an AC 70 and a Penguin 350, and did a 40 to 50% water change. He was about 9 to 10 in, and was healthy for years. Never had an issue. I did finally move him to my 90g after about 3 yrs.

This may have been an exception, though, not saying it's any rule.
 
Adopting the fish is a good idea if you have the time to devote to the needed care. You need a 75 gallon minimum. He will outgrow the 55 or become stunted due to not being able to turn in the tank.

When in a large enough tank they will exceed 12".
 
I take it the standard 55 is not recommended because of the skinniness of the tank rather than the actual amount of water, then?
 
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For the most, yes. You may recall I posted months ago about the coworker's 10 or so inch oscar he had in the 40g breeder, along with a pleco. I finally got them to move them both to a 75g, same width but the extra length and overall size was better.
 
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