I am a first timer at getting an oscar fish...

I have a 30 gallon aquarium with the back filled with plants, and some driftwood in the front... (I have about 1 inch of rocks on the bottom)

Also, no fish are currently in it.

Its been sitting for about a week, and I think I am ready to introduce a fish into it...

Of course, I am thinking of getting an oscar...



I don't know which one would be the best for my tank, so I am asking for someone's opinion.

It has to be an oscar that I can easily buy from a petco, or petsmart and etc.

Thanks in advance to those who reply!

dude your about to get bombarded with tank to small replies.
be ready for it.

skatkea wrote:


Really? A 30 gallon is too small for one oscar cichlid fish?

Meh... I am ready...
I just need some opinions, good or bad...

Yeah that tank will definitely be way too small for an oscar. The bare minimum tank size for one oscar is 55 gallons with a 75 being preferred. Oscars can grow to 12" or more within a years time and will very quickly outgrow that tank.

Also it will be hard to keep your water quality good because of this as well.

Also you will need to cycle your tank first before you put an oscar in (if you do get a larger tank). There is a good article on the home page of this site on tank cycling and what has to be done.

Let us know if you have any other questions and welcome to the site!

ikkie78 wrote:


I have a 50 gallon (empty) laying in our basement, would that be enough?
Or would it be better just to buy a 75 gallon or more tank?

I'll check the article out, and thanks for the welcome.

I would say if you can get a 75 gallon tank that would be a much better option...bigger is always better and it will also be able to maintain a better water quality.

You are also going to want to go big on your filtration...oscars are messy and require about twice the filtration for the tank size. For example...if you got a 75 gallon you would want a filter that could handle a tank up to a 150 gallon. This will also make maintenance easier and water quality much better...and while i'm mentioning it make sure and pick up a master test kit (the liquid test kit with the test tubes, not the strips and they are unreliable). A good kit is the API Master Freshwater Test Kit...this will allow you to test your pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate levels. These will be important while cycling and for keeping an eye on water quality...you can usually pick a kit up for about $20-$30 at most places.

Thanks, I will probably get a 75 gallon tank.
(And the kit)


I heard oscars jump out of tanks sometimes also, is that true?

And now that I've got my idea on the tank, what would you, or anyone suggest an oscar that would be suitable for a first-timer?
(One found in a local pet store preferably)

Glad to hear that you are going with the larger tank...you won't be disappointed!

And Yes...Oscars can and do jump out of their tanks sometimes and usually this ends up in the death of the oscar. Its best to make sure you have a secure lid on the tank and that there aren't any larger openings an oscar could fit though...even openings you think are too small should be blocked if possible.

As for the kind of oscar...they are all basically the same just different colors...the most common are the Tiger, the Red, and the Lutino or Albino (depending who you talk to). Basically whatever color or pattern you like the most...its up to you.

Just a word of warning...stay away from any fish that are labeled such things as "blueberry" oscars or "berry" anything...these fish get their color from being dyed (a very cruel process) and are usually unhealthy and sickly looking. Hopefully your local fish store wouldn't carry them but I have seen them from time to time. Just a warning

But decide what color you like the most and get whatever you like! Just make sure to cycle the tank with hardy fish such as feeder goldfish or with a fishless cycle before you get oscars...never cycle a tank with oscars as this can kill your oscars or make it easier for them to have health problems in future. Basically follow the article on cycling on this site and you should be fine! And if you have more questions feel free to ask!

ikkie78 wrote:


I like the Albino/Lutino probably the best, so I think I might get one of them...

I have never heard of them, so that most likely means that no one in my area sell dyed oscars... which is good. Lol

I think you've helped me a lot, not much more to ask!

waaaaiiiittt a minute..! i know wats goin on in ur head right this instant. its- 'gonna get an albie oscar, gonna get an albie oscar, gonna...' STOP.

firstly, get ur 75 gal tank, some substrate, rocks and plants if u wish and some fish food for tank cycling. not the fish.. i repeat! NOT THE FISH YET.
then set up ur tank, then pour in some fish food like ure gonna overfeed ur oscar in the future.. and let the filter run for 45 days. YES 45 DAYS NO FISH. aww..!

after 45 days, test ur water perimeters. if its ideal(ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate less than 20), then u can think about purchasing ur oscar. heheh!

cheers!

jawsbush wrote:


LOL Yes, I know you have to wait...
a really long wait...


And also, in someone's opinion, is it better to feed them live, or pellet food? There is a neighbor that has a few oscars, and he feeds them live food... Just wondering which one is better, or would a mix of them do well?

theres some nutrients that live food has that pellet food dont and vice versa..
so its better to feed the cichlid pellets as a staple food, supplemented by live/frozen treats every now and then. ppl feed live food to encourage their fish to 'hunt and chase'.. but i dont recommend live food UNLESS ure pretty sure theyre disease free.