Can my 2 inch Oscar fit in a 55 gallon tank?

The owner of my local fish store, who I deem very knowledgeable says that one single oscar will do fine in a 55 gallon tank.

What say all you, non fish store owning people?

 

I think the bare minimum for an Oscar is a 75 Gallon. That's my opinion.

 

Do you want the fish to "do fine" or do you want the fish to "do well". Do you want the fish to thrive? or just exist? That is the question....

if you want him to thrive, then a 55 is too small. If all you care about is keeping it alive and having it exist in your home....then the 55 would work.

Are you able to get a 75 instead of a 55? That would make a huge difference.

 

the 55 would work.

I knew it.

 

I knew it.

Did you read the rest of that post? bizaliz3 had a really great answer for you and it wasn't what you quoted at all. I agreed with that post, because I thought the answer was thought out well.

 

Some find that a 55 is too narrow for an oscar to turn around comfortably, but there are a lot of people who keep them in a 55 without much an issue. I do earnestly recommend larger.

I recommend a 75 or better because it affords the space for one to turn around easier. An oscar gets 12"+ and a 55 has 13" and the 75 has 18".

 

I knew it.

HAHAHAHAH wow....talk about selective hearing!!!!!!! HAHAHAHA

or selective reading...or selective quoting...or WHATEVER!!!

Come on now!!! do NOT use my words against me!!!

edit: so with that being said, you just want the fish to exist, right?

 

Have to agree with bizaliz3, it can breath in a 55g, but it wouldn't necessarily be living a good life. Also, she put "then" and "the", not just "the", it makes quite a difference in this type of conversation.

 

Bigger is always better when it comes to the fish hobby. I do agree with everyone that a 75 is minimum cause its wide enough for it to comfortably turn around.

 

Op just went threw this whole battle in a post a not to long ago

 

Op just went threw this whole battle in a post a not to long ago

The post was closed because some moderator didn't like how the conversation shifted. She probably should have just deleted a few posts and got that thread back on topic because now I need to create another one of those threads.

 

75 gallons is the absolute minimum.

I don't care what you read or where you read it, a 55 is not appropriate.

 

75 gallons is the absolute minimum.

I don't care what you read or where you read it, a 55 is not appropriate.

I think I'll cross that bridge when I get there partner. Right now, he's loving his 55.

 

I think I'll cross that bridge when I get there partner. Right now, he's loving his 55.

You're going to do what you want to do anyway - I'm just stating the facts here.

I'd really recommend toning the cocky attitude down a bit by the way. It makes you seem about 16 years old.

 

You're going to do what you want to do anyway - I'm just stating the facts here.

I'd really recommend toning the cocky attitude down a bit by the way. It makes you seem about 16 years old.

I think you're reading into the tone a bit much considering this is strictly text there bud.

If the "facts" were universal. I'd agree with you. But when some people have certain facts (55 gallon is acceptable) and others don't (55 isn't acceptable) then it's a little grey isn't it?

 

Loving huh? Did his eyes turn to hearts like an emoji? If you can actually read the feelings of your Oscar than I'll fly you out and you can tell me what my Acara are thinking when they rip leaves off my java fern and swim around with them in their mouths as if they're mocking my efforts.
Anyways.. Oscar's are fast growing, big eating, messy fish. I know a guy that had some big ones, took poops like a hotdog. Had to clean the tank daily. Why wouldn't you just set yourself up for success?? Get a 75 and a proper filtration system. Grow that bad boy out and make him pretty, crystal clear water and you're a happy camper. Or... do what you're going to do, come back in a year and told you so the masses.

 

Loving huh? Did his eyes turn to hearts like an emoji? If you can actually read the feelings of your Oscar than I'll fly you out and you can tell me what my Acara are thinking when they rip leaves off my java fern and swim around with them in their mouths as if they're mocking my efforts.
Anyways.. Oscar's are fast growing, big eating, messy fish. I know a guy that had some big ones, took poops like a hotdog. Had to clean the tank daily. Why wouldn't you just set yourself up for success?? Get a 75 and a proper filtration system. Grow that bad boy out and make him pretty, crystal clear water and you're a happy camper. Or... do what you're going to do, come back in a year and told you so the masses.

That's not what I heard.

Also, I think your friend was feeding his Oscar too much. Should really only be fed once per day.

 

I think you're reading into the tone a bit much considering this is strictly text there bud.

If the "facts" were universal. I'd agree with you. But when some people have certain facts (55 gallon is acceptable) and others don't (55 isn't acceptable) then it's a little grey isn't it?

I'm not your "bud," and I really don't intend to be.

a 12" fish does not belong in a 13" wide tank. That should seem logical.

 

Good luck with the science project Mr morales.

 

At this point there's no need to say anything else. Abel doesn't seem agree with us and will do what he/she wants to. And it's already been discussed as well.

 

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see the post above! I agree with Platylover, further discussion seems basically pointless.
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I have to say, I've read both threads and I don't entirely understand what you're hoping for. Just to post this question over and over until someone corroborates your opinion, either out of innocent misinformation, experience with stunted fish, or simply because they don't think fish need enough room to turn around? So that then you can quote that single data point and lord it over the people trying to give you good advice to keep a healthy fish?

A single affirmative answer doesn't rule out half a dozen people telling you what seems to be the proper tank size; that's not how research works. You can't just cherrypick the few facts/advisors that support what's convenient for you and then decide that that's "the truth".

This is a forum to ask for help with fish. If you've already decided you want to keep your fish in a smaller tank than generally considered, both by reputable websites and experienced fish keepers, to be big enough, then that's your business. There's no point in repeatedly asking the same questions and throwing a fit when you don't get an answer that you like.

It's doing very little aside from wasting the time of experienced, generous people who are taking time from their (likely busy) days to advise you on what's best for you and your fish. If you refuse to do what people tell you is best for your fish, there's no reason to ask for advice in the first place.

You seem to be looking for confirmation on a tank size that, judging by the answers you've received multiple times, isn't proper for your fish. This is a site for honest advice on fish care, not ego-boosting or enabling of animal abuse. You're not going to find what you want here.

 

Why are US tanks so narrow? Just wondering. I wouldnt put an oscar in a tank 13" wide no matter its volume.

 

Why are US tanks so narrow? Just wondering. I wouldnt put an oscar in a tank 13" wide no matter its volume.

Not all of them are narrow. I actually dislike the looks of 55 gallon because it doesn't look as wide. I personally like the shape of breeders and odd numbered gallons tanks like my 40 gallon breeder or the 29 gallon tank. The breeders tend to have a more square shape then a rectangle.

 

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see the post above! I agree with Platylover, further discussion seems basically pointless.
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I have to say, I've read both threads and I don't entirely understand what you're hoping for. Just to post this question over and over until someone corroborates your opinion, either out of innocent misinformation, experience with stunted fish, or simply because they don't think fish need enough room to turn around? So that then you can quote that single data point and lord it over the people trying to give you good advice to keep a healthy fish?

A single affirmative answer doesn't rule out half a dozen people telling you what seems to be the proper tank size; that's not how research works. You can't just cherrypick the few facts/advisors that support what's convenient for you and then decide that that's "the truth".

This is a forum to ask for help with fish. If you've already decided you want to keep your fish in a smaller tank than generally considered, both by reputable websites and experienced fish keepers, to be big enough, then that's your business. There's no point in repeatedly asking the same questions and throwing a fit when you don't get an answer that you like.

It's doing very little aside from wasting the time of experienced, generous people who are taking time from their (likely busy) days to advise you on what's best for you and your fish. If you refuse to do what people tell you is best for your fish, there's no reason to ask for advice in the first place.

You seem to be looking for confirmation on a tank size that, judging by the answers you've received multiple times, isn't proper for your fish. This is a site for honest advice on fish care, not ego-boosting or enabling of animal abuse. You're not going to find what you want here.

My actual thought on the matter is this.

People who post on fish forums are crazy liberal fish people. You guys are like Peta. You err on the side on perfect conditions.

Go to a Peta message board and tell me what kind of Dog food they recommend. Then realize that they only recommend the best of the best and anything less will make the pet suffer.

It wont.

I trust fish store owners and marine zoo managers more than you guys, no offense.

 

Some very experienced members here have said that a 120 gallon tank is minimum, though I would agree with everyone else and say a 75 is a bare minimum.

I saw in your other thread that you said oscars only get around 9 inches. They should get around 12-14 inches on average, sometimes larger.

A fish that size should not be kept in a tank that is as wide as they will grow. How would you like living in a closet that was thinner than you are wide?

You also mentioned this...:

If this was the case, then all fish would be listed as being able to fit in much smaller tanks that can house them.

They're not.

They are.... you need only be in this hobby to hear all the ridiculously inaccurate info all over the internet, fish stores, etc.

I would not trust a fish store owner over most people on this site. Why? Because he has a business to run, he's trying to sell people things..... and we're not.
Most fish store employees (not all) give inaccurate info out, either because they don't know, or they're trying to make a sale. Most of them don't really know much about fish, as far as I can tell....

My actual thought on the matter is this.

People who post on fish forums are crazy liberal fish people. You guys are like Peta. You err on the side on perfect conditions.

Go to a Peta message board and tell me what kind of Dog food they recommend. Then realize that they only recommend the best of the best and anything less will make the pet suffer.

It wont.

I trust fish store owners and marine zoo managers more than you guys, no offense.

Marine zoo managers don't keep fish in tiny tanks, they have extremely large aquariums.... I wouldn't trust their advice on smaller tanks.

Fish store owners, as I mention are usually trying to make sales.

People who post on fish forums are indeed crazy, but it's a good type of crazy. It's not the type of crazy where people keep their fish in tanks too small for them, and don't really care. Unfortunately there's just some people who are that way.

Edit: also your title is a bit misleading. Can a 2 inch oscar fit in a 55g? Yes, of course. But guess what. Fish grow.

 

My actual thought on the matter is this.

People who post on fish forums are crazy liberal fish people. You guys are like Peta. You err on the side on perfect conditions.

Go to a Peta message board and tell me what kind of Dog food they recommend. Then realize that they only recommend the best of the best and anything less will make the pet suffer.

It wont.

I trust fish store owners and marine zoo managers more than you guys, no offense.

Then why did you post the first stating no fish store owners?
fissh what do you say?

 

I trust fish store owners and marine zoo managers more than you guys, no offense.

Your fish.
Your tank.
Do as you will but please stop goading the members into arguments.