How fast do well-kept Oscars grow?

[Seattle206]

Hi.

I purchased my two oscars when they were about 2inches, which was about three and a half months ago. Now they are 5-6inches, and their growing seems too have slowed down. I feed them 3-4 times daily along with one water change a week.

I think I'm going to introduce a Jardini Pearl Arowana. The one Im thinking of getting is atleast 1foot. I need the Oscars to be able to defend themselves.

 

[daveedka]

Well fed oscars will usually average 1" a month for the first year or so, I have always controlled growth somewhat with feeding so mine usually don't grow quite as fast.
Dave

 

[Bmeasure]

I agree, most that I've seen get around 1' in their first year. This is why they make poor choices for most beginners with small tanks.

 

[Haymarket]

They can grow about an inch per month, but that seems to go in spurts. Very few oscars reach 12" in a year (not including tail), unless you are really forcing growth (lots of live food, keeping the temperature high etc).

 

[ChileRelleno]

The information you've already received pertaining to Oscar growth is accurate.
Aprox 1" per month for the first year, with high end temps and "Power feeding" high protein foods you can achieve higher than normal growth.

But I have to question the advisiblity of a Pearl Arowana as a addition to your tank. Not as a tankmate or bio-load, but as to aquarium dimensions.
The Pearl Arowana will quickly achieve 20"+ and max out at well over 30"+ and your tank is only 24" wide. Arowana's need swimming space, length and widthwise (depth not important), when mature the Arowana would be very cramped.

 

[Seattle206]

I know of two 35inch 24 year old silver arowanas along with a 16 year old pearl, living in a 180 for their whole lives. I dont see the problem? I know that 95% of the members here would still disagree, but I highly doubt any of them have had success keeping them in a smaller tank. Maybe the old chinese theory is right? Right?

 

[lkishimoto]

i've had the same concern regarding the max size and speed of growth of an oscar. i recently bought 2 oscars (about 3"), and have seen them grow quite rapidly over the past month. hmmmm, looks like i'm going to either need to post my own thread, or check back here for more answers. thanks seattle!

 

[FishFreak101]

Faster than u hoped for!

 

[NatakuTseng]

1-1.5" a month till around 10" then they slow down a bit.

On the tank issue, just because you can keep them in something smaller doesn't mean its good for them. Always provide a good sized aquaria for your fish period, if you can't provide a good habitat, then you need to find something that will be rated for the aquaria you can provide.

 

[managuay86]

Oscars arnt the world's "fiercest" cichlids, aw who am I kidding they are the cowards of the cichlid world with a never ending appetite no amount of feeder goldfish could raise their aggression. my advise is to ditch the oscars and get some Jack D, Red Devils, or Managueneses those fish dont back down. oh by the way, oscars can grow 1" a month for the first year or so with a good diet and constant water changes.