Theoretical Oscar Questions

E

eraagne

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Aug 9, 2010
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I'm just kinda curious about the space needed to get a breeding pair? I hear bigger tanks will encourage the oscars to grow bigger but is it necessary to have a 300 gallon or just the ideal? And I've heard it's about 30-50 gallons for each juvenile. Just interested for if I ever have the chance at a big tank in the near future or far future.

And don't worry I wouldn't enter into this lightly. Obviously I would also need large grow out tanks that I don't have the space for among other things. And assurance from the fish stores that they would take my juveniles. I was just wondering if keeping Oscars would ever be an option for me and what they would need. Is it best to start with one oscar? Would they be lonely or would they be happy with a big tank to themselves.
 
Oscars should have a 75 gallon for one. For 2 I recommend 125 gallons. They will get to 15" and possibly more. However, I keep 2 in a 6' 100 gallon (72x18, same footprint of a 125) and filter it with a 1200gph wet/dry system. I also have a pair in a 90 with a pleco and a pink convict. The 90 is filtered with 2-Emperor 400s and 2 water changes a week. One is full grown and the other is about 8-10".

The reason for a 300 gallon tank is to raise 6 and wait for a pair to form. Oscars are picky about their mates. It is difficult to get an arbitrary pair and think they will breed. Doesn't work like guppies or convicts. Sexing them accurately is very difficult and few can do it since there is no difference except a very slight difference in the vent shape on mature Oscars. They are not sexable until they hit maturity.

Ascribing a human attribute to an Oscar is very much an unknown. Most scientists feel that fish do not have altruistic emotions. What is known, is they can get moody, obstinate, sulk, "pout", will refuse food if they don't like it, etc. So lonely? I guess it might be possible but I have no idea how it could be tested. Can they act glad to see their owners? Yes, because that means the food source has arrived, not someone to play with.
 
As far as anything Oscar ^^^ excuzzzeme is the man you want to listen to. All I can add is I bought a 125 gallon tank that came with 4 oscars. I can tell you it was BARELY enough room for them.
 
Yeah the only thing that appeals to me is raising a few into a pair. I think it would be nice to watch such a behemoth fish nurture it's tiny young. But sinking approx 3000 or more into the endeavor does not plus the amazing floor space.

Also I was just using general terms about whether oscars preferred a few of its own kind or not. I guess it doesn't matter as much as with other fish who will never function right without a group.
 
As for Oscars and groups, they can live alone just fine. Probably a bit boring for them, but they do OK. Mine lives with a big pleco, but I think he would prefer to live alone, judging by the scuff marks on his hide some mornings.
A pair, or at least two fish that get along (maybe 2 females) is OK. Three or more gets problematic as chances are you will get a pair, they will join up and 'tag team' the others. However if the tank is really big you can keep them as schooling fish. That's like 6 or more fish, and that's going to need 300gal+. The tank becomes big enough that territory isn't an issues and it's more like a slice of their natural river environment.

Exact tank sizes? You can debate that, but one big Oscar needs around 75gal, 2 are going to need more. Maybe 90gal?, 125 is better.

As for getting a breeding pair. You can put 6 juveniles in a 125g and wait. Chances are a pair will form after about 6 months, when they get to 6-8". Then you need to re-home the others and let your pair grow out together. Just make sure you can find homes for 4 "teenage" Oscars first.

Ian
 
Finding new, responsible homes for these fish seems to be the hard part.
 
thebrandon said:
Finding new, responsible homes for these fish seems to be the hard part.
Click to expand...

True. They are nice healthy fish at that point, and anyone that is considering buying an Oscar needs to be able to house a 12" fish.

Doesn't mean that they can :headshake2:

Hence why I said you need to plan ahead.

Ian
 
But I would need a second tank for the babies after awhile? Right at the point when the parents are done parenting but they're still a bit young to sell of. Also would it be slightly better to have a smaller sturdy cichlid in there to be a dither fish? There is just so much to consider when trying for a pair.

Also the idea of a school of oscars in a 500 gallon tank sounds awesome. 8D

I have some decent LFSs that might take them in and sell them to someone good. Obviously I would look into that. Also the local fish clubs and people on here.
 
There will always be some short-sighted person that will tell you a 55 is enough but that simply is not true. A 55 is 48x13 leaves no room for a 15" fish to turn. Gallon-wise a 55 will work but it just isn't the smart thing to do. I have kept Oscars singly or as a pair. Single Oscars act no different than a pair will. The most I have had at any one time is 5. They are not a schooling fish. Each one wants it's own territory.

People keep saying they are a 12" fish and that is not true. They will get to 15" on average. Rarely they will get to 17".

There are many do's and don'ts about this fish to be able to get to max size and maintain good health. Research carefully.
 
Not only do they get to 15" but they are a thick fish as well. I could not have imagined any of the oscars I had for a short period of time being comfortable in a 55 gal tank and they weren't even a foot long yet.
 
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