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I just bought an Oscar and I need some SERIOUS advice2007-11-24 23:36:43

When I bought him last night, I had NO idea how agressive they were or how big they got. He's only about two and a half inches right now, but he kept snapping at my other fish, so I filled a freezer bag with a good bit of the tank water and put him in it temporarily to seperate him from the others. I read that you can feed them basically anything, but I'm not quite sure that's true.(I'd really rather not feed him feeders) I was going today to buy another fish tank, BUT.. should I buy a smaller one to put my mollies and guppies in (I have a ten gallon now) or should I buy a bigger one? if so what size?

PS. Nothing to do with the first question, but a month ago I had one big snail, now I have him PLUS about 10 other little ones. is there any humane way to get rid of them. perhaps oscar food? lol

Thanks!

Sarah

Answers:

Your right about what you said, Oscars are definitely aggressive and they will get really big. You need a 55gallon tank for them at the minimum and nothing else. At their full size the footprint for a 55 gallon tank is enough space for them to swim and turn around completely considering they will get 12 inches or more. The mollies and guppies can do well in a 10 gallon tank. You also have the right idea not to feed them feeder fish. Most feeders like goldfish are dirty fish and will definitely cause problems as far as infections and parasites to your Oscar. Feeders also increases aggression since they will expect them. Als, decrease the temperature in the tank slightly and this will also curb the aggression a little bit. If you have a snail that you want to get rid of you can place it in the Oscar tank and it won't be inhumane because the cycle of life or just nature willt ake over. He will be gone in no time and not have suffered and no reason to feel guilty.

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just flush em' i hate oscars they eat your other fish or you can sell it.. and they get huge!!

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Oscars are great fish. They easily bond to the person who feeds them. I would Definatly keep him in a tank larger than 10 gallons. He will be such a big eater that you will find it nearly impossable to keep it clean and free from ammonia, even after it cycles. The best thing to feed him is a good pelleted food with a good percentage of protien. A larger fish will also eat feeder guppies but thats not a good idea if you want to keep other like sized fish in the tank with him.