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Hey Everyone,

I've had some Oscars since last year.. probably around October. When I got them. they were about 2" long. At present, they range between 5" and 7". I have 4 of them, 2 in a 29 gallon tank, and the other 2 in a 30gal. I want to put them all together, but I am not sure what size tank I need for all four. I read somewhere that I ought to have roughly 55gallons for a single fish, then about 80 gallons for 2. For four, what is the smallest size I could house them in? I was thinkin around 150gals, but I'm skeptical about maintaining such a large tank. These fish are rather aggressive though, and though I want them to have space, i would LOVE to have them back all in the same tank.
let me know what you think...Thanks..

Smitty....

These are 3 of the 4. the other one was in a separate tank b/c she was under the weather. Thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0lY7wObXZY

I would suggest the 150 gal. Maintenance is not really that much more that the two 30 gals you already have. No more difficult, just a little more time consuming when doing it.

I know many people that keep 2-3 oscars in a 55 gal without too much trouble. But, the bioload is very heavy and they more water changes on their oscar tanks than the rest of their tanks. And I know several people with 4-6 full grown oscars in a 150 gal that have not had any problems with them, in that size tank. Just be sure to have any breeding areas (rocks and such) to each end of the tank. This way if you do have a pair breed, they stay to one end. Where as if they happen to breed in the middle somewhere, their territory will end up being the entire center or the tank almost to each end.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I agree with acidrain, oscars are big messy fish, id go 120 plus too. A 150 sounds a nice size, and with proportionately smaller (though actually bigger) water changes, the oscar will be more comfortable, and much less e to diseases like hexamita. Upscaling is easy, I have several 120's and handling the filters etc despite the extra cost is no more difficult, and logically you wouldnt spend more on food or water conditioner than you do now. You just have water changes a little further apart, and less water quality worries like ammonia spikes etc. The main thing is making sure a tank that size is properly supported, its weight will be significant.

Only thing about oscars though, is that they will fight, and occassionally you may have to seperate a weakening specimen, so keep a 30 gallon handy just in case. Recombining oscars is one of those things, you dont know if it works until you try it. They are the kind of fish that might even choose to fight in tanks up to 500 gallon , it depends on their individual personality.If a couple of males take a dislike to each other they may fight no matter what you do.

I know if it doesnt work out it would be an expensive mistake, but oscars always were an expensive fish to maintain, and its all part of the territory. Even if it doesnt work out you can have one pair of oscars in a superb big tank that is the envy of your neighbours, and you could keep a few large catfish too.

If you can afford a mistake, try it, it never sucks to have a big beautiful tank.

Hey... 'preciate the response.