Hello there! Firstly, I'm pretty new to owning an Oscar and I'm pretty stoked about it. I've done some research and I know that oscars require intensive filtration and ample space. I currently have my albino in a 30 gallon tank with a few random tankmates (1 tetra, 1 tiger barb, 1 dwarf gourami and a pleco). The oscar is only about 2-3 inches and fairly young. I realize that this tank size is not ideal, and the tank-mates are potential meals for the oscar (and that's fine), but my main question is this:

About how large would the oscar need to get (and how long would this take) before the tank size is inhibitive to the oscar's growth and happiness? My thinking is he has about a year or two of confortable swimming room in the 30 gallon before I need to upgrade to a 75.

I realize that in a perfect world I should have started with a 55-75 gallon tank for him, but alas, this is not a perfect world and I have to consider matters of practicality. I'm mainly concerned about the health and happiness of the fish and when the tank size will become restrictive of these factors.

Thanks!

Welcome to OFL

Oscars are some of the fastest growing fish you will find in an aquarium unlike fish like clown loach that grow very slowly. It is possible within six months, your Oscar could be too big for your tank.

It's difficult to say how quickly your Oscar will grow because the tank is quite small, from my experience the larger the aquarium the quicker they grow and the bigger they get. Having said that your Oscar might grow very quickly.

From my experience most Oscars grow at the same rate if all kept in the same tank.

My advice for you would be to start planning your new tank now. Remember it will take at least six weeks to cycle properly, your Oscar could be nearly 2 inches bigger by this time.

your oscar will grow an inch a month so if hes 3" now by the summer this year with good feeding he will be 6"-7"and to big for your tank so i say you have about 4 months to get a minimum tank of 55 gals to house him on his own

x2 as said.

That's quite helpful. I suppose by fall I'll plan to have a cycled 75 gallon tank to which I'll move him.

Thanks for the info!

torenhall wrote:


actually you dont have till fall to get a larger tank. imho you have until july before yo ahve to move him to a bigger tank.

just my 2 cents