HELP! I have two baby tiger oscars, but I only have a 20 gal tank at the moment. Will they be okay until I can get a larger tank? And what size should I get?

If you are going to get a new tank, you need to do it now. It will take at least four or five weeks to cycle it properly, probably up to six weeks. In that time, an Oscar can grow nearly 2 inches believe it or not. How big are your fish at the moment? 20 gallons is absolutely nothing, I've got a 20 gallon tank with five very small fish in there, I'm talking about guppies. I can't imagine trying to keep Oscars in there, it just wouldn't work.

Anyway, you just haven't got any time. Even at three or 4 inches, your tank is going to be too small for the two of them. If you want to keep to Oscars, you should be looking at over 100 gallons. I wished I'd taken some photos of the Oscars I saw today at the local fish door, they were absolutely huge. That will probably make people realise just how big these fish can get. Unfortunately, my Oscars are very big at the moment.

Anyway, don't let anyone tell you different, Oscars need big tanks, two Oscars will definitely need over 100 gallons. You will have people telling you that 75 gallons is okay, it's not, period.

OFL and Joliet Jake. I've added this site to my signiture on two other forums.

And that conversion chart is very helpful.

ok thank you so much. yes quite a few people have said 55 or 75 gallons would be fine. the fish are currently about 2 inches each.

lauryn22 wrote:

QUOTE:
ok thank you so much. yes quite a few people have said 55 or 75 gallons would be fine. the fish are currently about 2 inches each.

Who told you that 55 gallons is big enough for two Oscars? Assuming they meant adult Oscars, I would strongly disagree with that. As for 75 gallons, you could try, you would have to keep a very close eye on your water conditions. You will also need a very good filter as well. However, in my opinion, 75 gallons is not big enough. I'm visiting an aquarium tomorrow where they have a very large red Oscar indeed. It is one of the biggest I've ever seen. Anybody with half a brain cell would see straight away that two Oscars of this size would be just too big for a 75 gallon tank. In fact, they would look big in 125 gallon tank. If it's still there, I will get some photos.

The woman at the pet store we purchased the oscars for told us about the 55 and 75 gallons. But thanks so much, I will try to get at least a 75, hopefully larger as soon as possible.