the 40 gallon actually has more surface space then a 55 its lower with more surface space.....and I only want a single oscar is that alright to do?
2007-02-15 22:50:46 · 9 answers · asked by The Answer Man 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Not happily, no. How deep is the tank? One of the reasons that smaller tanks are so innapropriate for oscars is that oscars can often grow longer than the tank is deep (like from the front glass to the back glass). Oscars NEED a lot of room; they are big, heavy fish, and as such they pollute the water quickly. Other than size issues, there is the water quality issue. Less water gets dirty faster, and oscars need pristine water conditions.
If all you have is a 40 gallon, then try to find other fish that would be more suitable to it. You could probably manage to keep an oscar alive, but why would you want to? After all, you could survive in a walk-in closet, but how healthy could you possibly be?
Or you could just try to find a 60-70 gallon tank. That would make for a happy oscar. http://www.craigslist.com
2007-02-16 01:29:33 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No. Even a 55 gallon is too small for an Oscar. Forget the one inch per gallon "rule"...it isn't a very good rule because it doesn't account for how fat a fish is, how much ammonia they produce, how much swimming room they need, etc. Different species have different requirements, regardless of size. A single Oscar should be kept in no less than a 75 gallon tank. You might consider keeping a pair of convict cichlids in your 40 gallon, they are quite interesting fish and will do well in that space.
2007-02-16 10:07:30 · answer #2 · answered by Liz 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oscars aren't that active of fish and and there is enough space for the Oscar to live in that 40 gallon. The bigger problem is all the maintenance the tank will need once the fish grows up, since small water volume will pollute faster then a larger. Are you going to be up to the task, honestly? If the water is allowed to degrade the oscar will become susceptible to disease, most notably HITH, which they have become quite prone to.
I just never understood why one would use a tank as a cell for an oversized fish when it can be a little paradise for smaller ones, but I guess that just comes down to personal preference.
2007-02-16 07:45:00 · answer #3 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
i actually do not love 55 tanks for big cichlids because they are so narrow. A 40 should work great dependibg on its dimensions, ie a 40 long is the same size as a 55 just shorter. That being said, always overfilter for a big fish, and use mechanical/chemical if possible. They will eat in tank foam filters and constantly dig to the plate on undergravels. By the way, the more you do water changes the faster he will grow.
2007-02-16 10:25:48 · answer #4 · answered by G&L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While the oscar is still small it will be fine. When he gets bigger,get a75 gallon tank for it. Do weekly water changes,maintain good ,strong fltration, and feed good cichlid food,but not too much at a time.
2007-02-20 04:50:40 · answer #5 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes thats plenty of room ..all these sites say 55 i say 40. i have even kept one in a 29 gallon and it live 15+ years. That is pleanty of room. they say one inch of fish per gallon and oscars two gallons per inch . if it is 14 inches long you need a 28 gallon tank.
2007-02-16 07:46:55 · answer #6 · answered by Mikael 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Tropical Resources has a really cool stocking guide that goes by aquarium dimensions and what fish you stock in your tank.
http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/Stocking.htm
Courtesy of Tropical Resources
Encouraging Aquatic Excellence
2007-02-16 07:31:13 · answer #7 · answered by Tammy 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It will be hell to clean up but its possible, I WOULDNT RECCOMEND IT but if its only 1 then ok. Make sure you have major filtration for the pig
2007-02-16 09:30:27 · answer #8 · answered by Return of the Snatch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seen Oscar in a ten gallon tank and it grew in this tank at Woolworth's for a long time...someone stole him..but when he was still in Woolworth the pet lady who took care of him fed him other fish..gold fish..guppies..etc to plus regular fish food..that Oscar really ate.
I had an Oscar a long time in a ten gallon tank and like a fool I introduced two other Oscars and overnight they killed my pet Oscar..I was so mad I through the remaining two out in a snow bank..I should not have but I did this in a rage. Yes to your question but he will be a very aggressive fish and eat anything he can...but you still can get attached to him/her..lol they are cool..reminds me of a phrinea? I sold pets and pet supplies for Aquarium Supply Co/Hartz Mountain for almost seven years..i miss this job..i was the fish man...lol
2007-02-16 07:05:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋