Oscar’s in 55 gallon tank

[Gatormac]

I recently got a 55 gallon tank with 4 Oscar’s. I know it says they need 75 gallons per Oscar but has anyone been able to have a few or four in a 55 gallon tank for a while? They are a few years old now I think.

 

[Fishmanic]

You should enter your tank in the Tank of the month contest starting in just 5 day. A banner will announce the start of the contest.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

The tank is to small unfortunately, I would get a 75 gallon or larger, or rehome the Oscars.

 

[BigJfish12]

Oscars can get 12 to 15 inches long and need a large tank sure they will fit in a 55 gallon tank but they wont be happy. For them to live happily as @Obsessed with fish said you need to get a bigger tank or remove the Oscars unfortunately. And only one oscar would fit in a 75 gallon tank you would need about 120 gallon for two Oscars at the bare minimum.

 

[emeraldking]

Welcome to the forum...
It's already been said that the tank itself is too small when you consider how big they get. But for the time being it's okay. Cause that's the only tank you've got, I presume? So, you've got to work with this one first. But if you'll notice that some aggression starts to occur, get them a bigger tank. Cause that could happen when they feel cramped in there.

 

[Ichthys]

If they’ve been together a few years they should be ok, and they probably won’t grow much more in that tank. They’re a fish that tends to grow according to the tank size. So you might be ok. If they decide to pair up or fall out then you’ll have problems. If not they should be fine in that tank.

 

[Muttsnuts]

No it's not true that fish will only grow to fit the aquarium that they are in.
What tends to happen is that fish will have their growth stunted which will lead to deformities.
I personally think that 4 Oscars would ideally be in 6'x2'x2' aquarium.

 

[Ichthys]

No it's not true that fish will only grow to fit the aquarium that they are in.

I’m not talking about tanks that are too small for the fish, but tanks that are ‘big enough’ and then even bigger. It’s about stress, which inhibits growth hormone production. Some fish are stressed by a tank that’s small, and won’t grow, and some are not stressed and will continue to grow. Growth hormones affect the whole fish so if the fish isn’t growing, the internal organs aren’t growing either. Oscars for example will generally grow to about 10” os so in a 4x2x2, and about 12” in a 6x2x2, which I agree is a minimum for four. In an 8x3 they’ll grow a bit bigger still….