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General questions about Oscars.

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by nossie, Nov 14, 2010.

  1. nossie

    nossie Thread Starter Member

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    I have a few questions about keeping Oscars, since I would love to have a nice setup with that species :) (Some day, to be honest, I'm just asking out of curiousity)

    How much water does each fish need? Is it calculated like usual with inches/gallons or..?
    How big is the smallest tank to use for these fish? (I know they easily grow to be 13-14 inches big)
    Suitable tank mates? Can Oscars be kept in a pair or along with Pearl cichlids for instance?
    How about plecos/other catfish?
    What kind of setup do they thrive in? Which kinds of plants, substrate, rocks...?

    Other than that, I know about their basic water quality requirements and dietary needs :) But please tell me as much as you can! :D
     
    nossie, Nov 14, 2010
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  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    The inch per gallon rule is really outdated and shouldn't be used IMO, except maybe for fish under 2".

    I believe the general rule is about 55 gallons for the first fish.

    Pearl cichlids may be okay since they grow to a good size themselves. A nice big pleco shouldn't have any problems either. Anyone I've ever heard of putting plant in with Oscars has done nothing but complain that they dig them up, so I would just do a pebble like substrate with some rock decorations.
     
    Anthony, Nov 14, 2010
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  3. nossie

    nossie Thread Starter Member

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    Thanks for the info :)
    So the minimum size of a tank to keep two oscars and maybe 2-3 plecos would be about 100+ gallons?
    There happens to be a tank about that size I've been gazing at online that used to house Malawi cichlids :) It contains filtration and all kinds of things. Would it be big enough? I don't know if I'll buy it anytime soon though, so that one might just go, but if it'll be suitable, I'll definitely keep it in mind.
     
    nossie, Nov 14, 2010
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  4. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I think if you just do two Oscars you can get by with a 75 gallon, so I've heard.
     
    Anthony, Nov 14, 2010
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  5. nossie

    nossie Thread Starter Member

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    That made things a whole lot easier all of a sudden! :D Nice, nice!
    So one day I could just order another 83 gallon then :) I'm afraid it might be hard getting anything bigger around here since that was the biggest tank available to order from the shop!
     
    nossie, Nov 15, 2010
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  6. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    here's a link to my 125g set up that i have 3 oscars, 1 jack dempsey, 2 pleco...imho i wouldn't do a 55g for an oscar (or any fish that gets 12+ in) because the tank is about 12in deep (front to back) and when the fish gets to that length it's kind of hard for them to turn around. a tank that's atleast 18 in deep would be better.
    Oscars and Jack Dempsey Tank
     
    buzz4520, Nov 16, 2010
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  7. nossie

    nossie Thread Starter Member

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    Aha, I wouldn't get anything smaller than 80 gallons for the Oscars either way, my current tank is about 17 inches deep, and since I'd really want more than one Oscar, I think a 55 gallon is out of question :)

    I just saw your fish and they're gorgeous! Oh my, their colors are wonderful! :D
    I'm more inspired than ever to try and get a few cichlids now :)
     
    nossie, Nov 16, 2010
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  8. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    thank you !
     
    buzz4520, Nov 17, 2010
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  9. logan mackrell

    logan mackrell Member

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    you could probly get by with one oscar in a 55, 1 with a good sized pleco in a 75. thats what i found with my research
     
    logan mackrell, Aug 23, 2012
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  10. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    imho...the smallest tank for an oscar is a 75g. i couldn't imagine any of my oscars (which are about 13-14 inch) being in a 55g and try to turn around.
     
    buzz4520, Aug 25, 2012
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  11. logan mackrell

    logan mackrell Member

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    yeah, that ould be brutal
     
    logan mackrell, Aug 25, 2012
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