CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Ok ... so I still haven't moved my 6" Oscar (Lucky) from his 48 gallon Bow Aquarium I have. I have 5 Piranhas in a 150 gallon and I just don't have the bucks to spring for anymore aquariums. He seems very very happy and all tests in the water are perfect with just one good vacuum a week and 1 33% water change. There is a 10 inch pleco that essentially lives upside down in a cave like rock and Lucky is able to turn and move with no hinderance. I also am able to hand feed him a large variety of albacore tuna, catfish ...salmon and occassionally some feeders that I incubate in a 10 gallon (fancy tail guppies, neons, etc.). He is not the least bit shy.

I can't really see the reason for moving him when he appears to be very well adjusted. Is it possible to keep him in that 48 Bow forever or is there any signs to look for if he just can't stand the smallness of the tank? Any and all replies appreciated ...

Thanks

Jeff

personaly I would think that even though a 48 is about 10 gallons small that it should be OK as long as you're water keeping was good, what kind of filtration do you have?

It would be alot more work on your part as far as the water specs go I know that I have mine in a 55 and I have to keep a close eye on his water. One advantage you have is the bow front will give him extra turning room whereas the 55 gal like mine may become a littlte tight when he's bigger but it works for now. You may want to think about removing the pleco they can get really big and poop even more than oscars.

I personaly wouldn't recomend getting rid of the placo...I think they do more good cleaning up all the food that gets through the "O"'s gills, than the contribution to you're bio load. They should call Oscars Cookie monsters...cause more food hits the floor than goes down:)

anit that the turth:D cookie monsters of the seas!!!! he should do pretty well in the bowfront for awhile b/c he has the extra room to turn, even though it is smaller than a 55 gal. it has more turning space. you should be fine for a while b/c o's hit a growth spurt and then just grow slowly after their first year. good luck with lucky:D

ya a 48 gal is ok . i hade a oscar in a 45 tell he go 14 inch then sold him just good wader changes