Deku

I think I might be allowed a 55g or a 60g breeder tank and would like to know if I kept an oscar in a tank that size will it bite me? Ived heard some cases where peoples hand get bitten and I heard it hurts a heckload so yeah. Iam still on the look out for fish to keep so Ill probably be trying to look around here for the perfect fish suited for me. And I like oscars because I heard theyre like puppies and they go up to you, that they like to be petted. I dont know much about this but would like to understand these sayings. Please help anyone?

mathas

Some oscars do, some don't... unfortunately, I don't think tank size will have any impact on that. If you choose to hand-feed, you run the risk of being bitten.

Large oscars have been reported to bite hard enough to draw blood on occasion, but they don't really have sharp cutting teeth in the front of their mouths like a piranha or gar, so you probably wouldn't be in danger of having your finger bitten off or anything

Amanda

I personally don't think that a 55 gal. is large enough for an Oscar. They need a 75 gal. minimum, due to their bio-load & size. My friend had 2 Oscars, and they both bit.

aquarist48

Even though they bite it doesn't hurt. Although it scared me and I made a bigger splash than the Oscar did I did have a bruise about the size of a quarter on my upper arm. With larger fish it should be expected at some point.
I like to see Oscar's in at least 75g as well.

andie

I had an Oscar in a 55 gal tank along with a Jack Dempsey, a Pleco and a turtle. They all did fine. My Oscar nipped at peoples finger, especially around feeding time but it never drew blood. I liked my Oscar a lot, great fun to feed live food.

Angela_96

Oscars need at least a 75g tank, for one oscar by itself. They get large and are messy fish.

Deku

Well I am getting one or atleast want one I have a 55 long and will be getting this filtration system I think this the mother of all filters <3

http://www.aquariumguys.com/fluval-f...er-filter.html

tell me what you think? Is it good or what? x3
I also want to know all varieties that they have for oscars and pictures if possible so far all Ived seen are albino and normal tiger oscars. And a lemon one. But my question is if I get that bada** filter will I be set? I cant use sand because sand tends to be messy and basically gets dirty fast and needs to be sifted alot so I wanna see if I can use rounded argonite pebbles to keep the pH at 7-8 I also want to know what I can do to keep the filter safe from any oscar rampages. Can I glue drift wood to a side of the tank where the filter will be? and put the filter inside of that so it has openings for cleaning but wont get harmed. and chip off parts of the drift wood to make it smooth so the oscar doesnt get hurt and do the same with the heaters? Can I keep the light on at night and leave it off at day? I heard oscars are responsive towards their owners sort of like "water dogs" sometimes being called a water dog. Since I lost my best friend (a dog dont laugh please Dx) I want to get an oscar to replace the loss of my companion. Sorry for asking too many questions I have a natural curiosoty and like to know as much as I can o-o I want to be able to properly give it the best care I can possibly can. So I would like a list of the best filtration systems out there that will keep it to the cleanest point and keep it cycled. I also want to know do those products like "Biospira" work? Just add it and put the fish in? Thats what my LFS sales clerk said I can do seeing as I have no clue how to do those water readings. Can I put plastic plants in the tank? like glue them with aquarium glue to the bottom and make it so it has a hidding place?
also I have another filter in mind but dont know which one of the two is the best?
http://www.aquariumguys.com/emperorpower.html
will having a 100watt heater one on each end of the tank be good? or is that too much heating for a 55? Is there something besides a hood that can keep the oscar within the tank so it wont jump out? something he/she cant break?
What are the best medications I should have at hand? What are common illness in oscars and what are three types of foods that I should feed them? three types of treats?

Again sorry for all my questions. I read up on them alot but still there are questions left unanswered o.x

Amanda

I guess you're going to get the Oscar against much of our advice.
The Oscar is not going to have the room to reach it's full potential in a 55.

Deku

Whats that beautiful blue fish on your siggy and Display picture? It looks like an electric blue <3 and I know theyre messy.

Deku

Oh. then whats the best fish suited for a fishtank of that size? :<
As in I like some cichlids but I dont like any fish smaller than 5-6inches too hard to see for me from a distance x_x;; I also like puffers but dont have many options for that. I like rounded fish but if not rounded then most cichlids is there anything that has the same behaviour as an oscar do but can be kept in that tank size? Iam only looking for one fish.

Amanda

I'm guessing that you want 1-2 large fish.
A Jack Dempsey would do well, as would a Green Terror.
If you want to have smaller cichlids, Convicts are a good choice.
Firemouths, Blue Acaras, Jewels are spunky medium cichids.
You could have an African Cichlid tank.

Deku

I like african cichlids but my parents already have a 120 tank full of them o.e and yes I like large cichlids prefarably something that looks like an oscar and probably a little smaller but still big. :/ and can handle a 55 gallon perfectly well.

Amanda

Well, an Oscar in most senses is a dull fish.
A JD is black with green/blue flecks. IMO that would be best for your tank.

Deku

Oh ps. I know this sounds stupid but Ived heard puffers are also like dogs in personality as in they come up to you and beg alot for food my friend owns one so I know what hes talking about because Ived seen it beg. But I like something that pretty much acts like that. I know oscars do but I dont know any other fish like it. I like angel fish but pretty much not suited for me. Btw Uhh so if a 55 is good umm in the fishlore fish profiles where it says minimum for an oscar is a 55 why not change that rule? so others wont get confused.

Deku

I like them too but how big do they get? And is there any other cichlid besides oscars that have that red flare to them? Thats something that kinda attracted me.

Amanda

In reality, an Oscar could SURVIVE in a 55 gal. It would NOT THRIVE. That's the difference. All of my fish beg, it just takes time for them to get to know you & know when feeding time is.

Amanda

JD's reach 8 - 9 in.
Firemouths have red gills, but they only reach 6 in.

Deku

Well from cichlids and all of those other families of fish for what IAm looking for which one is probably more suitable for my style?