DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Long story short, pet shop guys says 2 oscars would be fine in a 240L tank, I look on internet and get many conflicting reports. Some say 100g minimum, some say 118L per oscar, some say 55g some say 75g. I would get 2, and a large pleco. And that would pretty much be it. What do you guys think, because I really didn't even consider it, but they would indeed be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 A larger tank will be needed. 5ft long, 2ft wide, less than 2ft high should be fine. A little less deep will be fine too, but they are a relatively large, boisterous fish that need lots of space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malevolentsparkle Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 never kept oscars but my trusty book says (paraphrasing): + grow to 38cm long + best kept singly or in pairs in a single species tank + absolute minimum tank size 100x40cm for a single fish, 120x40cm for a pair + Totally unsexable so a group of fry should be grown on to obtain a pair + Everything but the gravel rendered unmovable The ultimate aquarium, ©1995 Mary Bailey and Gina Standford, Pg 134 The book has never steered me wrong before, but given the eventual length of these fish a would say that the minimum tank size is very very conservative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 I'd agree with P44, a 5x2' footprint would be best if you want to grow the fish out to their maximum potential, could probably get away with 20" height but 2' would be better. I know people often recommend smaller, IMO a fish with the potential to get that big needs more room. Maybe a 4x2x2' would do for a pair, at the very least. There was a monstorous oscar at Animates in Mt Eden a few weeks back, in the hex tanks where there plants were (and corals once upon a time). Was the biggest I've ever seen, at least a solid 12" by my conservative guesstimate, maybe bigger. Anyone who says they can be kept in a 55g has obviously never seen a fish like that. And as for Animates little info card on the tank with the small oscars saying "15cm and 165L".... :evil: :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 And again, more conflict. :-? Tank is 121 x 45 x 40 so it would fit in there. Being 17 years old, I guess if I bought some small ones, by the time they reach a large size I would be leaving my house (maybe) or would have a job so would be able to buy a larger tank. At 30cm long they would have enough room to swim their length 4 times in my tank, with enough room to turn and swim upwards. Thanks for input so far, more please! PS, un-protected light tubes in the hood of my tank, would this cause a problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 it just wont work. They are prob. the fastest growing fish out there. Probably not the wisest thing to put them in a juwel tank, they can whack the lids off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 It does seem to look that way... Could always put a pot plant or something on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Keep your discus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Being 17 years old, I guess if I bought some small ones, by the time they reach a large size I would be leaving my house (maybe) or would have a job so would be able to buy a larger tank. Either that or you'll discover cars/girls/booze/etc and/or realise the impracticalities of flatting with a large fish tank just aren't worth it and get rid of them? I sold my 5' set up before moving out of home and went back to a modest 3' for many years before expanding again once settled. Just think about the commitment you're making with two potentially very large, hungry and long-lived fish. Its not just the tank size you need to worry about, you'll need grunty filters and large water changes to keep up with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 It'll give me a positive reason to earn money other than booze and other mind altering substances. Like coffee. But back to the point of this thread. Give me a yes or no answer. (And don't say what others say) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 NO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 From what I have heard from others who have kept them, if the pair have grown up together they can cope with a 4ft but they are better to be in something larger. Two in a 240L need a lot of filtration and maintenance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Thinking of getting a external filter as well asap. I guess one would be fine in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 sounds like you have already made up your mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 I would definitely like one, but if it really is a straight no, I wont do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matto Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 its a straight no they grow huge man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 There are plenty of other interesting cichlids you could keep in that tank, jack dempsey, firemouth, salvini etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matto Posted August 30, 2010 Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 or africans :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted August 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2010 How readily available are the firemouths? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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