Red oscar questions

HI everyone! After lots of research I have decided on purchasing a red Oscar (he is very tiny) and tonight will make it his first complete day in the tank. Now I noticed that when I turned the lights off in the room he would come out and move around. Other then that he would lay sideways on pieces of decor. Is this normal? he ate a piece of worm earlier today that I had dropped in there btw.

My tank is big enough for his comfort (60 gal) and water is good aswell.

What should I do to make him more acclimated?
Should I get him a tank mate? (another oscar)

 

It is normal for oscars to go to the bottom to sulk when added to a tank. It can help new fish to acclimate when the lights are off, which could explain why he doesn't sulk so much when you shut them off. It helps them adjust to not have bright lights on ime, so I leave them off for a few hours after adding new fish.

I wouldn't get another oscar. For two you would need a larger tank at some point down the road. One thing though, 60 gallon tanks tend to be 12 inches wide I believe. That would mean that once the fish is grown, he will be as big as the tank is wide, if not bigger. That's why a 75 gallon min tends to be recommended. So he may need an upgrade in the future unfortunately. Definitely fine for now though.

 

It is normal for oscars to go to the bottom to sulk when added to a tank. It can help new fish to acclimate when the lights are off, which could explain why he doesn't sulk so much when you shut them off. It helps them adjust to not have bright lights on ime, so I leave them off for a few hours after adding new fish.

I wouldn't get another oscar. For two you would need a larger tank at some point down the road. One thing though, 60 gallon tanks tend to be 12 inches wide I believe. That would mean that once the fish is grown, he will be as big as the tank is wide, if not bigger. That's why a 75 gallon min tends to be recommended. So he may need an upgrade in the future unfortunately. Definitely fine for now though.

Thanks for the info. By the way I am also looking to purchase a new heater which is more reliable. Do you have any recommendations?

 

I run an Eheim Jager heater and it works great. Something in the 300 watt range should work well for you

 

I run an Eheim Jager heater and it works great. Something in the 300 watt range should work well for you

Thanks

 

Definitely DO NOT get him a tank mate OR another Oscar. Your 60 gallon is too small as it is. Oscars have the potential to get up to and over 20" although most don't because people keep them in too small a tank from the get go, don't feed them a balanced diet, etc. I bred them for over 20 years and they really need a HUGE tank to be truly happy and healthy.

 

Definitely DO NOT get him a tank mate OR another Oscar. Your 60 gallon is too small as it is. Oscars have the potential to get up to and over 20" although most don't because people keep them in too small a tank from the get go, don't feed them a balanced diet, etc. I bred them for over 20 years and they really need a HUGE tank to be truly happy and healthy.

Thanks. I kind of had a feeling I should not get another. Planning on setting up a 120. Would that be good enough for 2?

 

No. It would be great for 1 though. I personally wouldnt put 2 in anything less than a 220. Youll see all kinds of people saying they have 2 in a 55, but they also have 8" stunted, unhealthy, Oscars.

 

No. It would be great for 1 though. I personally wouldnt put 2 in anything less than a 220. Youll see all kinds of people saying they have 2 in a 55, but they also have 8" stunted, unhealthy, Oscars.

So basically you want to have something so big that they can stretch out lol

 

With the right diet and a large swimming area, Oscars have the potential to get VERY large.