Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

[steellotuslite]

I'm looking at 55g+ tanks, would 55 alone be sufficient for my Oscar when full grown? I'm doubting it... I also found a 125 tank stand and hood for $399. Is that a good deal? Should I just go for a 75?

Should I just go for used? He's really, really spoiled rotten...all of my money is going into this guy and I have very little of it (you know, the whole college student thing)!  

Thanks for any input.

[h0nkzz]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

go for a used tank. you'll save A LOT.

[Hanson77]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

A 55 could handle a pair of them if you really wanted.  I'm partial to 75 gallons myself but you really don't need a lot of aquascaping for Oscars so it's really up to you.  The price for the 125 is about right in my opinion.

[Mzungu]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

I'm of the opinion that a 55 is pushing it for one oscar. If it's just going to be him, a 75 would be much better.

$400 for a 125 - I have no idea. That's out of my league size-wise.  

But, I agree, go used if you can. You will save a ton. Just make sure everything works and holds water and doesn't leak!

[CichlidFan]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

Another vote here for a larger tank for two adult Oscars....minimum tank size for keeping adults would be in my opinion, a 75 gallon.  My choice would be a 150 tall or 125 standard.

A 55 gallon would be okay to raise a couple young Oscars, but to keep them after they are full grown.....no way.

CF

[J-WS6]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

go big or go home.

[Fire_chair]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

I'm gonna agree with a 55 not being big enough for one, unless you do a couple water changes a week.

[Hanson77]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

Well geez...I guess I have never seen one of these guys at the full grown stage.  I have been wrong before and can admit when I am.....LOL.  I'll jump on the bandwagon...GO BIG OR GO HOME DANG IT!!!!

[steellotuslite]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

Yeah, I'm of the same mind. It's only going to be him in the tank, and I'll probably get that 125 anyway unless I can find one used....should I get another oscar? He doesn't really seem to care about anything but food. I know he's going to get HUGE but I really want to spoil him. Also, I  call him (Harry Potter) a HIM...I haven't found any good resources for sexing Oscars. How do I know the gender?

Thanks again!!!

[steellotuslite]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

Here are some pics, I know I need to upgrade my filter, I know...

[Hanson77]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

How big is he, pic is a little decieving.  I have always wanted a few of those just to watch them eat stuff....LOL!!!

[armthehomeless]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

That is a pretty and well taken care of oscar. 125 all the way!

[Zulaab]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

The only way to sex an Oscar is to vent them.  Problem with an Oscar is that the male vent is quite large too..  ie not like some fish where you can really see a difference.. then again you run into the problem that most oscars out water are monsters who will not sit still for you :)

Now for a tank.. I would go with a 125 and get your self another 3 or 4 of them.  They play nice with others (until they spawn) and then you might need to install an egg crate divider in the tank for a bit

There are other fish you can put together with an Oscars.  Severums works well, and some hardier fish like convicts, firemouths, or blue acara works well too.
In most cases with Oscars what they are looking for is swimming room and distance to travel which means a 6ft 125 would work well.

399 you can get from Charles in Rosenberg a new Ocean Atlantis 125 6ft tank with stand and lights.. the only thing you would you need to get would be a heater, filtration.

[steellotuslite]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

Yeah! That's where I was planning on buying it! Cool. Oh, and he's between 9-10 inches long. :)

[CichlidFan]

Re: Oscar Upgrade - A good deal?

Very healthy looking specimen.... :)

CF