JohnSeito

Hello, I have a question for you guys out there. Do you think one Oscar is good in a 50 gallon tank or would two be ok as well? The reason I ask is because I read that many people say Oscar will grow big, can be 15 inches or more and need a lot of space.

Would two Oscar in a 50 gallon tank affect their space to grow their full potential? And would having two cause aggression and conflict between them (would one dominate the other one)?

I rather have two in a tank than one because so they can grow together.

clinton1621

They do tend to fight a lot if there isnt enough space, and the most dominant one will kill the other especially if they are both males, I would say for a 50g you should go with one, not only because of this but also because of size and bioload issues

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!

I agree with clinton

Blub

As Clinton said, 1 Oscar.

mathas

Oscars usually hit a max of around 12", not 15. Other than that, clinton is correct.

Please also note that 50g is on the lower end of what many experienced oscar keepers consider acceptable for an adult. A lot of people say 55g minimum, I personally wouldn't go less than 75. 50 gallons can work, but you'll need a very good filter and you'll really have to stay on top of your water chemistry to make sure the excessive waste an oscar produces stays under control. The less water volume you have, the faster it can become contaminated with ammonia/nitrite/nitrate buildup.

Allie

I wouldn't put an Oscar in a 50g. They get too big eventually. We had one who could barely turn around in our old 55g. He was a rescue we were re homing.

Amanda

A friend of mine kept 2 oscars in a 55 gal. - and there really wasn't enough room. They didn't have anywhere to go to get away from eachother. I wouldn't put an oscar in a 50 gal. - but there are other cichlids that could go in a 50 gal. if you are interested in other fish.

JohnSeito

Thanks to all. I read in some place that they can grow about 15 and other about 12 so it varies I guess. Not really sure which to say is correct.

so my question if I put two in a 55gallon would they attack each other and would it limit their growth?

and how long does it take to have a full grown oscar?

base on all your answers so far, I guess it's one in a 55 gallon.

anyone else have anything to add please do.

Blub

2 in a 55gal would result in fighting, yes!

Cody

like others said, you need a very very good filteration system and be on top of your water changes

clinton1621

Oscars grow VERY fast, thats the bad thing about LFS selling the little small ones that everyone thinks are so cute.... yeah they seem fine all bunched up when they are little, then a month later when they are twice as big they all start killing each other... not so cute at that point.

mathas

It's not at all uncommon for a well-fed oscar to grow an inch per month for the first 7-8 months of its life, though they seem to slow down a bit around the 8" mark.

Gilbert

It will take around 2-3 years to grow to 12" if well maintained