55g planted tank with 1 - 4.5 inch Oscar (he's grown almost an inch a month since we first got him when he was only 2 inches. As I've read he will grow at that rate until at least 7 inches before slowing down much at all - up to 12-14inches). He has no tankmates and thus far is very healthy. Will he be lonely in there all by himself as he grows or is a tankmate a good idea? We are still planning on getting an even bigger tank in the future, most likely for Oscar to have more swim space. I am slightly concerned with algae developing on the plants, would a pleco be a good tankmate for him if I do get one? Also what other fish would work with this setup if any? :help: Thank You!
Will Oscar be Lonely?
- Thread starter <3Oscar
- Start date
It really depends on your fishes personality. The oscar shouldn't be lonely, in saying that my two baby oscars acted as though they were half dead before I put them with other fish. Oscars, even at this size will eat whatever fish will fit into there mouths.
I think a pleco in with him would work OK, just remember that plecos and oscars are huge waste producers, and that common plecos can grow upwards of 18 inches long.
I think a pleco in with him would work OK, just remember that plecos and oscars are huge waste producers, and that common plecos can grow upwards of 18 inches long.
Its all coming down to the individual fish really. One thing I would say is that if he grows up on his own he's unlikely to accept other tank mates except in a huge tank.
A pleco is not going to provide much social interaction for him but they are cool fish.
If you are ultimately going to a 125G or similar tank for life, you could certainly think about adding at this point another SA/CA Cichlid of similar size - even another Oscar, or a JD or something. If its introduced now there's a good chance they will get along in the same tank for good.
If you don't think you can upgrade the 55 at any stage in the future, I would not add any more fish to it.
A pleco is not going to provide much social interaction for him but they are cool fish.
If you are ultimately going to a 125G or similar tank for life, you could certainly think about adding at this point another SA/CA Cichlid of similar size - even another Oscar, or a JD or something. If its introduced now there's a good chance they will get along in the same tank for good.
If you don't think you can upgrade the 55 at any stage in the future, I would not add any more fish to it.
I wouldn't say that the oscar will be lonely. I wouldn't put any other fish in a 55 with it anyway, as when it starts putting on some size, thats going to be a pretty heavy load for a tank that size anyway. Glad to hear you're planning on upgrading. If anything, once you upgrade the tank you could look at something like giant danios as dither fish, and to get a little more action in the tank. The are most likely large and fast enough to stay out of the oscar's way. Another thing to keep in mind - oscars generally love to re-scape planted tanks. If you like your plants where they are, consider moving the oscar sooner rather than later. Sometimes you'll get one that is fine with plants, but more often than not, they pull them up and throw them all over the tank.
dont get a pleco to take care of algae thats your job. a 55 may work but ive never been a fan of putting an oscar in a 55. not enough turn room when they're full grown IMO. any pics of him? we love pics here!
The 55g is just another stepping stone for us. Our next endeavor is going to be to set up at least a 125g tank. We love our Oscar very much and only want whats best for him. I don't mind if he uproots the plants, they are in his house, so I figure he can redecorate as he chooses 
I just want to make sure he will do well by himself if we decide not to get him a tank mate until the next size tank is ready. He tends to sulk if we don't spend a lot of time in our living room area where his tank is. I came down later than usual one day and when I walked up to the tank he didn't swim up like he usually does. Instead he floated down to the bottom of the tank and turned his 'mad' colors until I walked away. Then he came back out after a bit and wiggled around until I came back too. Then he was his playful old self again. I thought this behavior might indicate that he gets lonely easily, but maybe he just enjoys the scheduled attention of his owners? He's such a treat to have around, I just want to make sure he has everything needed to be a happy fishy!
P.S. I will try to post a picture of him soon!
I just want to make sure he will do well by himself if we decide not to get him a tank mate until the next size tank is ready. He tends to sulk if we don't spend a lot of time in our living room area where his tank is. I came down later than usual one day and when I walked up to the tank he didn't swim up like he usually does. Instead he floated down to the bottom of the tank and turned his 'mad' colors until I walked away. Then he came back out after a bit and wiggled around until I came back too. Then he was his playful old self again. I thought this behavior might indicate that he gets lonely easily, but maybe he just enjoys the scheduled attention of his owners? He's such a treat to have around, I just want to make sure he has everything needed to be a happy fishy!P.S. I will try to post a picture of him soon!
It depends on when you plan on getting the new tank.
In my experience with oscars, it's a lot easier to make friends while they're still young. If you plan on getting the tank within the first year, I'd say find him a buddy that grows, but maybe a bit slower, but that's just my opinion. If you plan on getting the 125 soon, you could even try introducing him to another oscar.
In my experience with oscars, it's a lot easier to make friends while they're still young. If you plan on getting the tank within the first year, I'd say find him a buddy that grows, but maybe a bit slower, but that's just my opinion. If you plan on getting the 125 soon, you could even try introducing him to another oscar.
:lol::lol: He owns you now!! Most 'O's love attention, usually yours. They will sulk, hide, hissy fit ect. if you deviate from the norm. This can occur with or without a tankemate. Tankmate success will vary depending on temperment, alotted space, aquascaping & age. The 'O' can be perfectly content housed solo. (get him a toy for entertainment). But he's still gonna want your interaction ......... oh yea & FOOD!!! "T"