What size tank?

[Candyco]

Hi all,

I've just been given a 40g tank with a Tiger Oscar and a foot long plec of some sort in it (still trying to find out what type he is) The Oscar is about 9 inches at the moment. How long do tou think they'll be ok in the above mentioned tank and what size tank will i need for them. I'm planning on building my own tanks within the next few months so i need to know a rough size guide so i can go and get the right size glass etc etc!

Kaz x-x-x-x-x

 

[WILDER]

Couldn't find a tiger oscar but it should be the same as an oscar.
http/species.fishindex.com/species_3093a...atus_oscar.html

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/oscar.xml

 

[Tolak]

1 oscar needs at least a 55 gallon, the 1' plec would need a 75 for now, probably bigger later on. I believe for larger fish you need a minimum of 4x the fish's size for length, 1 1/2x for width. The plec will probably get to 18", it sounds like a common plec. You're probably looking at a 120 gallon due to the plec, a 180 would probably be better, as they are both messy fish.

Tolak

 

[Candyco]

Looks like i'm going to be building a couple of 200g tanks this year then! The plec is definately not a common.... i've got one of them in another tank! This one's dark grey with light grey stripes running through him!!!!

 

[freddyk]

A 4 foot x 1.5 foot tank is a nice size for a single Oscar and a pleco. Is that what you're plan is?

 

[Paul_MTS]

a 5x2x2 would be the minimum really, if you can fit a 6x2x2 that would be better or go 5x2.5(wide)x2(high) instead which wouldbe fine and then there's plenty of space for other big fish aswell of course.

kind of sounds like a type of royal...

 

[freddyk]

Hello, did I read this wrong or were we talking about just the one Oscar?

 

[Paul_MTS]

just 1, but to keep a plec in a 4x1.5 is a bit crampt really. you could probable get away with a 4x2x2 but I'm assuming you candyco would want a few more fish than just the oscar and plec so by choicing a bigger tank there's a large range of fish that could be added.

the tank size is currently based on the plec getting to aorund 18" so depending on species the size of minimum tank can come down acordingly.

 

[Candyco]

Right i think i've got it sussed now..... I'm all set now to build 2x 5x2x2 tanks.... both with 1 oscar and 1 plec in! How does that sound!? lol

Kaz x-x-x-x

 

[Paul_MTS]

thats quite alot of tank and space for 4 fish!! but they should be well chuffed!!

any ideas on what pec you picked up? how about some pictures!?

 

[freddyk]

That's gonna be one empty tank! May I suggest a shoal of tinfoil barbs? You can do 8 - 10 adults easy in that tank, and it will really spice up the activity.

 

[Candyco]

This is a pic of the plec and oscar... sorry it's not very big and not as clear as i would have liked but hey!

Kaz x-x-x-x

http/img2.imageweb.info/img2/tn_nu229476.jpg

 

[Candyco]

By the way.... The plec is grey not brown!

http/img2.imageweb.info/img2/tn_zsk29897.jpg

Kaz x-x-x-x

 

[Paul_MTS]

he's just a common plec, and going to grow to 18" monster so the 5x2x2 will be needed.