I am new to the forum, not to fish though. I have had tanks off and on for about 15 years. Last larger tank was just regular tropical fish. I currently have two bettas in two filtered heated tanks. None of these horrid teeny bowls.

I was going to pick up a Freecycle fish. I was told it was a betta with his container that they left on their front step. It was in a MILK JUG, not a betta, but a baby tiger oscar. I have a little experience with them having worked at Petsmart, but not much info for a home pet. I have always loved them though!

I have him in a ten gallon with gravel and a 30 gallon filter and heater. I do have a 30 gallon tank, but I had to get him out of the milk jug ASAP and the ten was quickest. I borrowed some other tank water and some gravel from my established tanks hopefully for some bacteria. Put water conditioner and stress coat in and acclimated him slowly.

SO...currently he is hiding under the filter. He looks good. Bright colors, no spots or sores. I have quite a fish pharmacy in my supplies if need be, so hopefully he will survive all this.

I asked on Freecycle for a larger tank and will keep an eye on Craigslist. Any other tips? Thank you! Oh, and I have named him "Wilder", as in Oscar Wilde

Congrats on your new baby!!! And nice save!

I would recommend getting a water test kit ASAP! (Liquid type) And a bigger tank with a MUCH bigger filter! That baby will be a beast in no time!

If you have any questions just post up, and we will do what we can to help you out!

Welcome to the site and congrats on the new baby. Smart move getting him out of the mild jug - I'm sure Wilder is happier! He may sulk for a bit but he'll come around. I would start to get the 30 gallon tank ready for him if you do not have the ability to upgrade to at least a 55 gallon tank. x2 on the liquid test kit.. and post your numbers if you ever talk about your water levels. We prefer specifics over "they look fine". This guy will grow fast so start shopping now. Craigslist is a great place to find tank deals. Just have to be patient! But in the meantime, at least get the 30 gallon cycling.

Read the help section. There is a ton of information on cycling tanks and setting up tanks plus stuff you never thought to ask. If you can't find something or have more questions, please, please post away!

Pics are nice too!!

Welcome again!!

Brooksie

welcome on board...

at least you have plan.... and you had done great job for the mean time.
yeah....we love pics...

Thanks for the replies! This morning he is hiding BEHIND the filter, lol. I gave him some pellets and he snapped them right up. I am setting up the bigger tank Monday to let it cycle till he needs it. Should I put anything in there fish wise to cycle it? I am heading over to the help section to read up. I used danios to cycle the tropical tank.

I was going to use two 30 gallon filters in the bigger tank. Will that be sufficient?

I will get a water test kit right away1 Thank you!

Take some of the media out of your running filters and put it in the filter on the 10g. Set up the 30g ASAP and move the filter you have on the 10g to the 30g.

Read this
www.oscarfishlover.com/how-to-cycle-a-tank

Buy moving some media from your established tank you are moving the good bacteria to the new tank thus helping the cycle

You will need at least 55g for your oscar with filters rated for 110g

Get yourself a test kit (bottle types), the ones you need are Ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate!!!

welcome to the site.

ask as many questions as you like. The friendly forum members will be happy to help you.

Congrats on your new fish. I'm glad you didn't leave him on the front step because he wasn't the Betta you were expecting. Best wishes!

Just wanted to update everyone. The fish is doing great. I set-up the tank I got from Freecycle. Turns out is a 37 gallon Eclipse system! I added my 40 gallon in tank filter from Whisper, so he has major filtration. I used tank water from a friend so it was cycled already! I am getting a test kit this weekend.

There are several fake plants and a cave. From what I understand, the babies like stuff to hide in, but not adults. For now he is very happy! Zipping all over, looking at me, eating, more zipping around:) Last night when I put him in he was so pale and panting and laying on the bottom that I could not help be worried. He was fine in the morning though.

I will post pictures after I get a new Camera battery. Funny, I was looking at the nice tank and fish and realized I paid for nothing. That will not be the case after this weekend, lol, but I was given most of the t hings except the gravel which I had! I feel lucky and am enjoying Wilder.

Thank you for the great site and all the info and answers!

congrats on the fish and welcome to the site

37g isnt big enough for your oscar as it gets bigger so keep an eye out for a bigger one. Also oscars are messy fish so you need filtration for a tank twice as big as you have. example if you have a 55g tank you will need filter rated for 110g