Possible a stunted oscar grow back to normal size?

**koaytze** · 10-02-2009, 03:53 AM

I used to have an oscar rearing about a year, 7.5", and at the dorsal fin & anal fin you can clearly see the curled-up that I think it is due to stunted growth. I've given to LFS some time ago because I could not afford to have a larger tank (it was in a 2.5ft, +-30gallons tank) at that moment. If I have a chance to retrieve him back from the LFS, will the growth continues as I am getting a 75gallons tank soon?

**Northernguy** · 10-02-2009, 04:02 AM

Its life span has been stunted as well!
It may straighten but I have my doubts!

**MCHRKiller** · 10-02-2009, 07:05 AM

Once stunted, normal growth does not pick back up. Growth may pick up some once conditions improve but it will never return to a normal level. Also as NG stated the lifespan of the fish will also be shortened due to stunting.

**koaytze** · 10-02-2009, 09:09 AM

I fed him Hikari Cichlids Gold Sinking Type when he was young. At his age of 7 or 8 months I fed feeder fish once and from then onwards he will never accept pellets and shame to me that I wasn't lookup on the internet for any solution and kept feeding live stock. Water quality turn bad & filter wasn't been effective anymore. But still, he presented a wonderful colouring on his body and that makes me going crazy about oscar fish and can't resist to get a new setup for new juvenile now. By the way, he is a red O.

This year resolution: to get a 12" oscar in a year's time.

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-02-2009, 01:39 PM

You don't want to rush their growth anymore than you restrict it. Over feeding an Oscar to get it to grow fast will give you an unhealthy fish and a dirty tank.

**Northernguy** · 10-02-2009, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

You don't want to rush their growth anymore than you restrict it. Over feeding an Oscar to get it to grow fast will give you an unhealthy fish and a dirty tank.

I hope you plan on having the right size tank this time around! A 75 is great for one oscar to grow out.I wouldn't add anything else to it.
Make sure you also have enough filtration.I recomend a Rena xp3 and HOB filter.Nothing less.You will also have to do your large water changes every week.
If you want a large healthy oscar this time.

**Ocellatus** · 10-02-2009, 04:46 PM

Probabely the diet and water condition were not good at all that he only got to 7.5" in a year. I have raised oscars in 12" width 30g tanks ( shame ) and they still can get to 10" in a year, and at most 11" in next years.

anyway, good luck with the future setup. get a big tank, suitable filtration, do regular water changes, feed high quality pellets, and have fun with your +12" oscar. thats the greatest fish you would find.