Oscars

[rosene]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and I'm liking the great advice on this site.
I work at a pet store, and I'm always looking for more information on everything involving fish, since it is the most complex department in the store.
I just want to know, if someone were to get one oscar, how big of a tank would they need?
I'm thinking around 55 gallons, but I hear some of my co-workers applying the "1 gallon per inch" rule...
Hmmm.
It really bothers me how customers with 10- or 20-gallon tanks already have oscars in there, because they've been told it's ok by other people. And I feel like I sound mean or condescending when I tell them that they need a much bigger tank.
Also, can 2 oscars live together peacefully, and if so does it make it easier if bought at the same time from the same tank?
Thanks everyone.

 

[dwarfgourami]

The inch per gallon rule certainly does not apply in this case; you tell your colleagues it is only intended for small (not over 3 inches), slimbodied fish that are not aggressive and not heavy waste-producer. In fact, totally unlike oscars in all respects. I don't want to pronounce on the size tank; I'll leave that to more experienced fishkeepers. You could always try asking in the New World Cichlids part of the forum; that's where the oscar fanciers gather.

 

[SamUK]

75 gallons is normally whats sed on here.

125 gallons for a pair i think.

 

[dcj38]

The minimum is 55 gallons per oscar, but it is recommended to have 75 gallons per oscar. I personally think if someone asks you "How many oscars can I have in my 55 gallon" say "One, but this means you cannot have any more more fish in there than that". If someone wants to buy a tank, and wants an oscar recommend a 75 gallon.