im so new to this i just got a little 5 Gal tank from walmart you know the quick setup i cycled my tank with red eye tetra, black tetra, and neon tetra now that its cycled i got two very small oscar fish one albino and one tiger they are both about 1.5in long so very small now before i get grief about the tank size i know i need a bigger one iv seen very healthy oscars in a 55 gal two of them so in about a month i will be upgrading to that i may go bigger but chances are i wont what i have done is bought the filter for a 55 gal tank and have put the filter and media from the 5 gal inside the 55gal filter in order to get that filter where it needs to be in a month my question is are there any draw backs to having an over sized filter? also my oscars love each other but whenever i come into the room or turn on the tank light they both sink to the bottom and wont move until all the lights are out or i leave i chose these two because in the store they had the best personalities and aggression will they grow out of this shy faze? any other tips u can give me will be greatly appreciatied just please dont harp on the tank size.

ryankeithmiller wrote:


First off, welcome,

Oscars 'sulking' because of the light isn't an abnormal issue, generally they take some time to get used to their new environment so I wouldn't worry about that too much. Just make sure you maybe make sure there is some natural lighting in the room first so the lights going on isnt too much of a shock for them. Oscars generally prefer dim light as a whole...seldom will you see most oscar tank owners with really bright high wattage overheads. Anyways, they will grow out of it as they become acclimated.

As to the filter and tank there is absolutely no problem with over filtering...however being that it is for a 55 gallon you are going to need another filter about the same size...so essentially 2 HOB (hang on back) filters of 55 gallon size or a canister rated for over 400 GPH (gallons per hour) at the very least. Oscar are very messy fish and a good rule of thumb is have the filter be able to cycle all the tank water about 4 times an hour or higher. Most 55 gallon tank filters by themselves are about 200-300 GPH or so...which isn't enough for one oscar. I have one oscar in a 55 gallon and use 2 x 400 gph filters, and there is still mess that needs cleaning up and regular water changes about twice a week.

My best advice would be to take one of the oscars back, get the 55 gallons, and add another filter of same size or greater. 2 oscars would require at the minimum 90 gallons. Best advice I can give...55 gallons is not a good environment for 2.

thanks for the help i appreciate it im looking at them right now they seem to be happy and swimming of course im not moving either... on the taking one back i really dont want to i like the idea of having two they are really getting along great my albino ate one of my neons i put in there as an experiment my 55 gal filter is rated at 330 gpl so ill add prolly another one when i get my big tank do u or anyone here know of a place where you can get tanks at a low price id love to get a bigger one than 55 but its not in the budget

ryankeithmiller wrote:


Your local Craigslist is very good for finding cheap deals on tanks. Give it a try, you'll be surprised at what you can find out there...try for a 90 gallon if possible, they oscars may be getting along fine for now but as they get bigger (which is very, very rapidly), 2 in a 55 gallon is gonna cause issues with territoriality, and you're gonna have serious water quality issues as well with that much of an overstocked tank, even with regular maintenance and water changes.

Good luck...check the FAQ's and helpful articles section as well if you haven't already, lots of good info there for new oscar owners.

First off Hi there and Welcome!!!

I hate to burst your bubble, but everything Johnny has told you is exactly right!

55 gallons is big enough for 1 Oscar. Not 2!

why am I starting to feel like I have heard this before...

cebosound wrote:


because our goal is to repeat the truth over and over , as many times as folks do wanna hear it!

And to strass it again, secondhand sites are the best if it comes to bargain deals for complete setups.
There's so many people dropping out of the hobby, upgrading their set up, or in many case having to move and not being able to take the tank with them.
That last reason is why i got my 180Gl very cheap and complete, and even found it in my home town...

Yeah as boring as it gets telling people the same thing over and over again....at least we know these peoples Oscars could be benefiting from it

I know that a lot of what we say seems very very repetitive, but it needs to be said so people absorb the information and avoid making mistakes. I certainly get a little bit fed up with repeating myself all the time, but I will keep doing it if it means helping someone do it the right way.

ok guys enoug with throwing the arrows at me i just was told today that im getting a raise and a bonus from work so that will help me fund a bigger tank do any of u have any tips that maybe i havent heard before it seems like i keep reading the same info like anything uv personaly found to work??? im eager to learn

ryankeithmiller wrote:


I've personally found that listening to the advice on this forum, weather I like said advice or not, WORKS!

ryankeithmiller wrote:



Well sure, but narrow it down a tad...there's a pretty broad spectrum of info.