First off, I'm new here.. seems like a great site!

I am very interested in buying an Oscar, and have been doing a lot of research. There seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions out there, so I'm hoping to clarify a few things here.

I already have some fish, so I have a pretty good background with the basics.

I have found a 100 gallon tank on craigslist that I am thinking about buying. I know that 75 gallons would be enough for just one Oscar, but since this one is such a good deal I should just go ahead and get 100, right? I also think 100 would be smarter because I'm not sure how many fish I am wanting to get. I would be just fine with only one Oscar, but would the fish be happy without any others? I've read both sides-- I've read that they would be lonely, and I've read that they would enjoy "protecting their territory". I also know that if I'm going to be getting more than one, I should get them at the same time.


How many would you recommend getting? Should I get all Oscars, or look into an Oscar and something else such as a Jack Dempsey? And should I probably go with the 100 gallon?
Any other advice? (And yes, I do know about how I will have to cycle the tank and everything)

Yes. Go for the 100gal.. Oscars need big tanks and when you decide to keep one it's best to go for the biggest tank you could afford. IMO, go for ONE oscar and put other tankmates..

i have found that the oscar in my single 55 gallon is more free and are less timmed around me, the ones in the 120 fight alot and i think they are not as comfortable around me. but this could also be because there juviniles.

I've got a couple catfish in with my oscar in a 55 gallon tank, and I haven't had any problems. I'd just make sure the tankmates are bigger than the oscar's mouth.

Yeah I'd definitely go with the 100 gallon if you can. Its better to have more space than not enough. You fish will appreciate it!

An Oscar would do just fine by itself. Otherwise you could go with two oscars or one oscar and some smaller tankmates. I know of a few people on here that keep Jack Dempsey with an oscar and they are fine...but it all comes down to each fish. Some will get along and some just won't...kind of like people I guess too! haha!

My oscar is the only O in the tank, with some tankmates, and he loves to interact with me.
He swims close to the window where ever i sit.
I thought he was lonely before, but the tankmates i bought were all bad news.
I stick to one O.

def go for the larger tank you wont regret it

im tyring to form a breeding pair with my o's so have removed all tank mates to a dif tank to encourage breeding and think im going to leave it that way. should i get another oscar at any point ill def leave it on its own they seem much more chilled and relaxed just crusing around

Unless your going to breed them I would just get one Oscar and a few tankmates.

go with the 100 gal tank and put an o with few SD....

just go with yr heart and get an arowana or red tail catfish...whats the worst that could happen!......cough

Get the 100g no question.

An oscar will be fine on its own or with tankmates(the right sort anyway). Its really up to you if you want tankmates.