tank is currently cycling. for the time being i'm trying to see what i can put it in.

i been doing research and it said at least 55 for 1 Oscar. i got a new tank from a friend and Oscar seem like a cool fish to keep. its length is 30 inches, width is 11, and height is 18. its a maple bow so the width is wider in the middle. its 36 gallons

i no its very small for it, but i was thinking if i increase the water flow it can just swim against it and it'll be like a slow moving trend mill, power heads, not sure if this will solve the space issue of swimming around in circles

also i read and have been told that their very messy eater and the tank get very dirty especially small tanks, maybe it can be fixed with additional filtration. right now the tank has a ehiem prof ii. so maybe the ehiem along with some underwater filters like undergravel filter? and those waterfall filter that use carbon bags (sorry i have no idea what their called)

could i consider keeping a Oscar in this new tank with these additions?

welcome to the community. I am afraid that if we vindicated the use of a 36 gallon tank for an Oscar, we would be contradicting everything we tell people, and all the information that is included on the website. There isn't really much more I can say apart from I hope you understand

Welcome... hope this doesn't scare you away. I'm glad your doing your research and glad you posted this question. No matter what you do to the tank, that size tank will not be big enough for an Oscar. Maybe as a baby but it will only take a few weeks for them to out grow that size tank. My first tank was 30 gallon and I had 2 babies. within 30 days I was shopping for my current 120 gallon tank. I have now converted the 30 gallon to a feeder breeding tank.

Don't make the same mistake other Oscar owners have. Stock this tank with something else and if your really want a beautiful O... start shopping craigslist for the appropriate sized tank.

Sorry!

Brooksie

ok thanks i was just curious

x2, better look into to options of stocking the tank with some smaller fish.
That is of course, until you can get a big enough tank to house an oscar in.

Most people ask what minimum size tank will do for an oscar.
My idea is it's best to get a big as possible tank.
This will lower maintenance level and helps in keeping yourwater in tiptop condition more easily.
When i see my oscars in the 180Gl, the space they got to swim isn't that overdone.
I think it's barely enough for them,not for the bioload,but for O's are very curious and will inspect and roam any space, ditch and cravice you give them.
As mine are becoming adults, i'm glad i didn't start with keeping oscars until i was fully prepared.

IMO if your looking for some serious fishkeeping, but decide against getting an Oscar in your 36Gl, i suggest looking into Pufferfish.
Their behaviour resembles that of oscars very much and of all my fish the puffers are the ones with most personality, next to the oscars.
But it's quite challenging, for they are no beginners fish.

So many bautifull fish you can get in a 36Gl, but oscars are not one of them.
Mind you, most of us on OFL have more than one tank running, so don't worry.
if you really want to, you'll find a suitable tank and become a happy oscar owner, before you know it.