Oscars

My bluegill doesnt seem to make much of a mess. I only have to vaccum the tank about once every 2 weeks. And right now there are 2 small gouramis living with him and he gives them no trouble at all. But if i did put a baby oscar in their i would of course move him out when he outgrew the tank.
 
If I were you, I would save up and get a 75g+ tank. It would open up the oscar option...

I would also not get an oscar until you can provide a good home for it; you will become very attached very fast, trust me.
 
I would be worried about the bluegill beating up the oscar.

they are really over rated in terms of aggression.

my first suggestion is most definatly a larger tank, but when you have that tank I would get a cichlid that is a little tougher such as a Green Terror or Jack Dempsey.

the bluegill is sleek and fast....the oscar isnt.

the oscar will try and lock lips with the bluegill....the bluegill will say "wth you doing" and rip chunks out of its sides.

im not saying for sure that will happen but the chances increase exponatially with a 29gallon as their home.
 
This is somewhat unrelated to the topic... but I am getting a 66g tank on Friday, and am still deciding on whether I want to go with a tank full of smaller communty/semi-aggressive fish, or go with 2 oscars.

Would the 66g be large enough for Oscars?
 
Originally posted by Gunn


Would the 66g be large enough for Oscars?

You could probably get by with it......but the general consensus seems to be that 66 gallons would only be enough room for one oscar to freely move around and feel comfortable (even 66 gallons might be cramped to some people). I had 2 in a 55 gallon and it was MAJORLY cramped when they got to be around 12-13 inches long. I was stupid and broke at the time so I couldn't upgrade. I made the classic mistake of "planning to upgrade when they get big enough" and did not have the funds to do so when the time came. By the time I had enough money and bought the 110 gallon......they had both gotten sick and died. :( The looked miserable trying to move around though before they died. :(

I would stick with only 1 oscar for that tank if you really want one.
 
Originally posted by Gunn
This is somewhat unrelated to the topic... but I am getting a 66g tank on Friday, and am still deciding on whether I want to go with a tank full of smaller communty/semi-aggressive fish, or go with 2 oscars.

Would the 66g be large enough for Oscars?



You could get away with 2 oscars in a 66. It would be a little tight and you would need to change lots of water regularly,but you could get away with it.
Later
Eric
 
Just to 'repeat' somewhat...
An Oscar is a very aggressive fish it's been proven they will take over largemouth bass, not to mention bluegills, bream, sunfish, etc.. ;)
 
I dis-agree with two Oscars in a 66. Gulp's comments ring true with my experiences. You can maintain good water and healthy fish, but they won't have room to turn around or swim when they grow up. I used to buy babies put them in a 55 and sell them when they hit 6 inches. Two six inch Oscars will fill up a 55 pretty nicely. With Oscars it is difficult to giv them up. These fish have personalities, and you will get attached. You can go almost anywhere and find Oscars in 55's and even 45's. take a look at how boring these fish look in a small tank. I wouldn't discourage any one from owning an Oscar. I just think thay need a bigger tank when they hit 13 inches. If your 66 is deep and long, you might try 1 Oscar. but remember that this fish will not only be 10-13" long when it grows up but will also be 5-6" tall, and a real shallow tank will make him look funny also. and leave little room for anything but the fish.
 
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