Baby Oscar

[fishsafari]

A friend of mine kept an Oscar for about ten years, until its untimely death. He saw my 25 gallon tank in my office today, not yet stocked, and suggested maybe I think about putting a small Oscar in it. His opinion was that it could stay there about a year or so before moving it up to a larger tank.

I know that they need a larger tank eventually. I have a empty 55s, an empty 75, and about ten other aquariums.

I'd appreciate any answers from any experienced Oscar keepers. I have google, I've read the posts, I've cycled a tank.

[MCHRKiller]

I wouldnt bother with the 25G and an Oscar...just go for the 75G you have on hand. They grow around an inch per month till they hit around 9" then the grow slows down. A 75G would make a great home for a single Oscar...it would be able to live out its full life in that tank.

[fishsafari]

Thanks. Thing is, I'm looking for a fish to put in this particular tank in my office that has some "interactive" quality to it. Not looking to stock the 75 at this time.

The question really is about what to put in my office 25 right now, and the baby Oscar was one suggestion.

[fishsafari]

And by the way, an inch per month is one CRAZY growth rate. No wonder my LFS has several 10 inchers in its random turn-ins tank.

[MCHRKiller]

There are several great fish which would offer you interactive qualities while being able to live in the tank. Have you considered a single Angelfish? You could keep a shoal of tetras and some corydoras with it.

[fishsafari]

Hmmm. How would I know if it's single?

Ha. Really, I had not thought of an Angelfish. I had three, then none, once, and felt like I had killed them, until I overheard at my LFS, "What's wrong with these Angels? They're dropping like flies!"

Something about the comic factor of the Cichlids appeals to me.

[MCHRKiller]

You could ask it :14:

Yeah it can be a difficult task finding a healthy petshop angelfish these days, seems more are sick than not.

[chronic]

A friend of mine kept an Oscar for about ten years, until its untimely death. He saw my 25 gallon tank in my office today, not yet stocked, and suggested maybe I think about putting a small Oscar in it. His opinion was that it could stay there about a year or so before moving it up to a larger tank.


No, no no no...

Not for an oscar.

Edit- I posted before I read the replies, jumped the gun since that is a bad idea lol

[fishsafari]

Thanks for the reply.

Oscars are kind of legendary, and I'm particularly interested in them because of their behavior. I have the kind of situation where I could raise a fish for a while in one tank and transfer it to another.

Another way to ask the question, to screen out all the "I read on the internet somewhere that you need a 75 gallon tank for an Osker" answers, would be,

"How long could I keep an Oscar in a tall, overfiltered, completely cycled, 25 gallon tank, if it started out at 1.5 inches?"

[chronic]

A couple months? Even in a 55g, they outgrow that quick. They become big animals, and should be given the appropriate space to thrive.

Its easier to set up the long term tank first... Trust me, I did the smallest tank for a few months thing too, it's not worth the work.

Edit- In three four months that guy will probably be 4-5", in a 25g, thats so tight.. and from there they only get bigger

[fishsafari]

Ugh, I submit. As Marie (Carrie Fisher) said to Sally (Meg Ryan) in When Harry Met Sally, "You're right, you're right, I know you're right."

No Oscar. He needs room to grow that I just can't give him right now.

Thanks for all the advice.

[chronic]

You're welcome.

You can keep a fish alive in very limited conditions, but do you want that? They're beautiful animals, and so smart... I hate seeing an oscar crammed in a tiny tank with a bunch of other fish...
Its better to wait until you can provide them with a big healthy home. You only work harder to keep an under sized tank healthy anyways...

[fishsafari]

No, I'm with you. Every tank I have is 100% + on the recommended size/volume. I just wasn't sure if anyone "stepped up" Oscars like I have some other fish.

[Sandz]

On a complete side note... I love that your icon pic is the incredable Mr Limpet.