Red Oscar Question

[Eelzor]

I heard that they have to be alone or at least in a group of 6. Can they be in 2s, 3s, 4s or 5s?

 

[juanveldez]

everything that I have heard is that it only really matters that you have a tank big enough for an adult oscar as they get to be between 12-16 inches when they are full grown. big tank lots of filtration and lots of water changes.

 

[smb]

Oscars can be in any numbers you want. Whoever told you they need to be kept either single or in groups of 6 is seriously misinformed and doesn't have a clue at all!

Like juan said, tank size, filtration and water changes are the only limitations.

 

[CFC]

And before you ask you will need a minimum of 50g per oscar to keep them in multiples(prefferably 75g per fish), and a spare 75g or two just in case they start breeding.

 

[FishHeads]

I heard that they have to be alone or at least in a group of 6. Can they be in 2s, 3s, 4s or 5s?

Pfft....You can have them in pairs in threes, fours, or by themselves! I have a million, you want one?? lol They don't like being by themselves as far as my experience goes. They get restless.

 

[BadLarry]

while it is good to keep oscars in groups it can be difficult beacuse you need alot of space. 75 gallons for the first one and 30 to 50 gallons for everyone after that. the theory behind having groups of oscars is simple.... in group of six or more oscars in a tank you usually get one aggressive alpha, having six divides the punishment usually dished out by the most dominant oscar amongst the six other inhabitants....thus they have a better chance of survuval. however, what ive found is that all oscars have different personalities. mine for instance is a complete cream puff and doesnt bother any of my fish(even my other little oscar and my angelfish). on the other hand ive had some pretty nasty oscars as well so be careful.

 

[scooter]

i have just one oscar in a 100 gallon tank...with a firemouth and a jack dempsy and a gar pike and the firemouth rules the tank....the oscar tries to bully but the firemouth isnt scared...and the jack dempsy never comes out of the skull he lives in often enough to get bothered i wouldnt get more than one oscar unless you have a large tank for sure