hi there im new to this site and new to oscars i just went out and bought a 55g starter kit i told the guy at the store that i wanted a tank to house 2 oscars and he pointed me to this tank he said that this would be sufficant enought after looking at this sight i should of gotten bigger is this tank going to be okay

welcome to oscarfishlover

Blimey, some of these guys who run these aquatic shops make my teeth itch. The person you dealt with obviously has absolutely no idea what he's talking about when it comes to large fish. Please don't ask him for anymore advice, for your sake anyway.

okay, a starter kit is basically meant for somebody who is just getting into keeping fish, we're talking about very small community fish, I would imagine it probably only has a very small filter. These kits are made so people can get used to keeping fish without having too much difficulty looking after the aquarium and filtration. They are definitely not suitable for Oscars, not even one Oscar. The tank would probably be okay for one Oscar, but I would strongly advise you to get some more filtration

OFL wrote:
ok thanx im going to get another 55g filter idont understand that guy they had bigger tanks that i would of considered as far as an oscar goes it will only house one and what about a pleco i am pissed thax again

Hi keash75, wellcome to oscarfishlover! Finding a truly helpful LFS owner/employee is rare, if you ever meet one, keep that relationship. As a rule of thumb, double check what they say.

I'm a newby in Oscarfishkeeping, and this site has been really helpful for me. From OFL who runs this place, to experienced Os keepers, to other newbies, I have been able to set from the start, a propper -allways improvable- allready running tank for two young Tiguer Oscars.

If you can go an get a six foot long tank, (6'x2'x2' are commercially available) by either returning your 55 and pay ingthe difference, or, keeping the 55 and getting the sixfooter, go for it, so you can keep two.

By the time you do the fishless-cycle, you will learn (as I did) what to do and, very important, what not to do -from the vetererans own experience.

I did set a custom made (6'x18"x26") tank and have been enjoying this wonderful fish for a very short time, and I can't describe you how special Oscars can be. Mine recognize me allready, and have taken food out of my hand -awsome experience. We do interact, on a daily basis, but it's their tank, not mine (they arrange things their own way). Again, wellcome to oscarfishlover.com

Pepe
Santo Domingo

tax for the reply Pepe but Ive already setup the 55g i dont think i can return it i might only be able to go with one for now i wish a had of found this site before also i was wondering whats a fishless cycle im new to this but learning also do u know what would be the best for algae what kind of eater should i get thax

keash75 wrote:


www.aquatics-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/A000_ALGARDE_35.html

www.aquariumguys.com/cleaning.html

Please don't even consider getting a pleco. Your tank is big enough for one Oscar and no other fish. Have a look at some of the fluvel filters, something like a 305 probabl suit you down to the ground.

if im reading this properly the guy at the lfs just set you up with a 55 starter and 2 oscars. if this is the case you have one too many oscars for that tank and only half the filtration that you will need. a good fluval canister will be a good addition and solve the filtration prob. the next thing you need to do is buy yourself a water testing kit. i would recommend an api liquid tester for fresh water. this will help you with the water problems you will probably develop because you didnt cycle your tank first. just keep an eye on your ammonia nitrite and nitrate level very closely. if you get any reading for ammonia or nitrites do a water change of about 30 % every second day until your readings it zero.

good luck with your tank

btw welcome to the site

The guys are telling you everything right, you just dont have enough room for anymore fish. 1 oscar and thats it... Its hard but its not only the fish that will suffer. You will become over worked with water changing just to keep your fish alive.. if you fail to change the water the fish will become sick...then its down hill for your fish keeping or the fish...maybe change to a few smaller fish if you are not going to get a bigger tank.This would be my advice or just the 1 oscar.. Its life, you have a tank and cant change that but you can change the fish inside to make your life happy and the fish.

i havent gotten any fish yet but the tank is up and running i really want an oscar i think im only going to get one or i guess smaller fish im pissed the whole point of getting a tank was to get a couple of oscars if i only get one would getting another 55g biological filtration system work for me without having to get a pleco

one oscar in a 55 with enough filtration will be fine. you should have no need for a bottom feeder

thanx for your reply im going to read up more about doing a fishless cycle before i put in the oscar

Two oscars would be pushing it for that size tank. You need better filtration first, a cannister and a good hob would be a start. I would return one oscar and you could add a few of the smaller cichlids like a convict,as for algae cleaning try a chinese algae eater as they are aggressive enough to be left alone. Filtration is the key if you are overstocked.In about 15-18 months you will be needing a larger tank as the oscar will be pushing 12" by then.