i put 4 oscars in a 10 gallon. ive done it for almost six months but they look really healthy. very active and very vigorous. everytime i feed them, they jump out of the water and at least 3 of them have jumped out of the tank and onto the floor. evrytime i feed them they are crazy for food, making loud noises when they eat.

i change the water 2 times a week and dont use gravel. therefore, i can see the crap and use a vacuum to get all the crap out. i use salt, amquel, and chlorinator. i know you're only supposed to put 1 oscar for every 50 gallons but somebody gave me a free oscar and i liked it so much i kept buying more. can somebody tell me why it hasnt been bad as everybody is telling me it should be? also, they have grown alot. they use to be 2-3 inches; now they are all about 6 inches and they always swim together in a quartet. they seem like they really get along. i also put about 10 banana plant in there and i clean the filter every week.

welcome to oscarfishlover

I'm afraid that 10 gallons is way too small for four Oscars. Have you tested the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate? Also, what type of filtration have you got? If it's a fairly small filter, it's going to have a hard time keeping up with those fish as they get bigger. Maybe you are maintaining things at the moment, but it won't last, it would be absolutely impossible to keep those amounts of Oscars in such a small tank.

But like I have already asked, I think you should test the water. Even though you may think things are okay, there maybe ammonia present in the water that is slowly causing harm.

ive been told im crazy. that they are territorial, they will kill each other, they make big poop, etc. but they seem like they really get along and are very hungry for food. it looks like to me when you go into a pet store and see 40 oscars in a 20 gallon tank. it seems like the same thing. but i have kept these fish for over six months and nothing has changed. they all seem well, and growing steadily. i have a bigger filter; it's supposed to be for 20 gallon tanks. i never have tested the water but i put in amquel twice a week and i change the water twice a week and specifically able to take out all the crap since i have absolutely no gravel and only a tank filled with water and 10 banana plants. i also have a white frog, and two plecos in there.

im sure if you tested your water you would find that the ammonia and nitrate levels are high. you may not notice any effect on your fish but they will develop illness and eventually die. furthermore the 40 oscars you see in the 20 gal tank at the petstore is only a very temp thing as they sell rather quickly. i also have four oscars and i also do 2 water changes a week but my water conditions are pristine and i have no serious aggro probs. i also thinik the reason your oscar alway swim around together is that they dont have any other place to go. i would strongly urge you to either get a larger tank to accomidate your fish or rehome them. however the decision is your to make.

Animal cruelty in my opinion,and blind ignorence!!

Never mind the water think what its like to live in a garden shed 4ftx4xft with all your family, Mum,dad,brother and yourself. Hmmmmm you would have to take it in turns to sleep as there would be no room. you couldnt walk cos there is no room. But never mind cos you are alive. thats life. IS IT.you should be ashamed to mention it let alone try to make it sound like you are doing well.
I am with timskie and gave him a thumbs up for saying it.

The problem with oscars is they get really big (about a foot long), and big fish produce lots of waste, oscar especially. Your fish maybe ok at the moment but eventually your fish will end up with health problems. Shops keep lots of little oscars in a tank, but they dont keep them in small tanks, they sell them

To find out if your water quality is good get yourself a test kit (the ones with bottles) and test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite should be 0 and nitrate should be below 40. If any of these test are above these levels then the long terms consequences are fish ill health and even death

My advise is to get a bigger tank ASAP. You will need a minimum of 55gallons for 1 oscar and at least a 125g for 4. With either of these choices you will need to do lots of water changes to keep your oscar successfully

why do they act so happy? they never stop moving. i put in grilled chicken and they ate it. i have alot of banana plants in there and they cant really see each other when swimming sround. may give the allusion that the tank is bigger than it actually is. i just dont buy this that you need at least a 50 gallon for just one oscar. they are growing like crazy too.

You need to see one of these full grown!!One full grown oscar probably wudn't fit into a 10 gallon tank.

he will never see 1 full grown as it will never reach its true size. In fact I would say the fish will grow deformed as it will not use its muscles as soon as it starts to get anywhere never large. Thats if they dont die 1st. I will wait for you to ask why they are dieing. prob cos they stopped feeding??

ifej434 you will find out the hard way if you continue with tanks that are too small.

Chicken is not good for oscars. Animals have a type of fat in them that oscars cant process properly. What will happen is they get internal problem (i think it the liver) and then they stop eating and die, so please stick to what oscars are designed to eat, insects and the occasional fish. Cichlid pellets are made to be perfect for oscars

Timskie- This is a friendly site so no matter what you think about someone please keep it to yourself, we will not tolerate abuse on this site!

after re-reading this thread about 10 times i'm at a loss. firstly 4 six month old oscar will be anywhere from 4-7 inches in lengh. add 10 banana plants and a couple of plecs and throw this into a 10 gallon tank just doesnt work.

imo this has to be someone who is just trying to get a rise from people who actually like and care about oscars or just fish in general. if its true and he has this setup im sure any advice given will fall on deaf ears.

in my opinion i think this thread should be locked or deleted so it wont infuriate true oscar keepers.