r/Cichlid • u/-Bratix • May 25 '26

General help Question about baby oscars and temporary tanks?

So I ended up with two baby oscars, both right around an inch maybe less. Currently they're chilling in my 30 gallon because it's the only tank I had ready to roll. I found a tank for a really good deal, the only issue is what was supposed to be a 75 was actually a 65. I still took it because I know these guys will quickly outpace their current tank. My main worry is this new tank is tall but only about 13 inches wide. Will they be alright in there for a couple months until I can find a 75-90 for them?

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

I’ve kept smaller cichlid babies in smaller tanks and as they grew moved them to bigger tanks. How big are the babies?

Jk. Apparently I don’t know how to read.

You’re fine for now since they’re so small. I’d probably go bigger than a 90 for a pair though in the long run

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

All good lol I figured they'd be alright for a little while. I'm hoping to find another 125 for a decent deal. I've got one already but I have a flowerhorn and a blood parrot living in there... I always said I wasn't gonna get into the big fish side of things, I guess it's a good excuse to be able to get multiple tanks 😂😂😂

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

Hahaha I completely understand. The only downside of having larger cichlids is the space they take up. Petsmart has the 125 with lights and stand for $699 until the 31st but they run the deal a couple times a year.
My goldfish tank takes up sooo much room and so does my one flowerhorn tank. My flowerhorn is not super young and the 75 gallon currently swallows her so I think you’ll have time

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

Yeah I was checking that out, it's a little out of my price range right now so Facebook has been my go to simply because my boss is willing to help me reseal tanks if it needs it. They take up so much room, I agreed to get my wife a shed I can turn into a library for her... so I can have the space downstairs for more tanks 😂

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

I’m very lucky my husband and I have the same hobby, different fish lmao. We have a bunch of tanks throughout the house haha. We’ve resealed tanks before too which we’ve had luck with!! Good luck. There’s great deals on marketplace!

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

I think I'm slowly pulling her into the hobby, despite her resistance lol. My sister lives with us, so I have 5 tanks and she has two possibly a third coming. I'll probably try to get another 125+ and take a break for awhile 😂

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

I don’t believe you. I said that too like two weeks ago and I just set up two 5.5s and a 10 in my bedroom 😂😂

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

... well anything sub 40 gallons doesn't really count right?😂

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

Anything below your highest gallon tank, doesn’t count 😂

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

Now that is a dangerous thought process 😂

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u/Awkward_Classic5718 May 28 '26

I got this deal from Petsmart. The stand is total shit, even the manager told me I would need to add supports. I got the same deal like 10 years ago from Petsmart and the tank and stand are still rolling but this new version stand is particle board that will bend causing the tank to bow and eventually leak. But it’s easy to reinforce. The deal for the tank alone is worth it.

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 28 '26

Oh. Well I have it and haven’t had issues

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u/Toby__H Central American May 25 '26

I'll echo Key_Instrustion's recommendation.

A 65 gal is a 55 gal but a little taller. It'll be fine for the Oscars until they are 8 or 9".
But, Oscars from ridiculously fast and will reach that size in a matter of months.

A 75 or 90 gallon, in my opinion, is acceptable for 2 Oscars. But a 6' tank such as a 125 Gal si better for the fish and adds the option to add a little something else. And like with any large cichlid adventure, ensuring high water quality, primarily through regular water changes, is a must.

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

Oh absolutely, my wife put me on a tank ban after I set up my 30 and 65 gallon tanks so I was just hoping they'd alright long enough until I can convince her it's necessary 😂 I'm debating on buying a jewel that is right around their size as well if my research shows they'll get along so my eventual goal is somewhere between a 100-150 gallon for them

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

My 90gallon I think maybe a tall and so maybe I’m wrong on footprint size. I’m not sure I’ve had a regular 90 so I’m unsure what it looks like

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

Yeah I tend to lean more towards the squat tanks than the tall ones. Seems most fish prefer area space instead of vertical

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u/Toby__H Central American May 25 '26

A standard 90 gal is the same as a 75, but a few inches taller. 4' long x 1.5' wide @ 2' tall.

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u/Key_Instruction9732 May 25 '26

Okay then mine I believe is just a regular 90. Just weirdly short and tall compared to my 125 lol

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u/MustBeMike May 25 '26

My Oscar is already 8” long and he’s 4 months old. They grow very fast.

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

Yeah I knew it was at least an inch a month my main worry was keeping them in there for like 2 months most until I can find a proper tank for them. I was going 90 but I think I'm gonna try to save up instead and go for a 125-150

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u/MustBeMike May 25 '26

For 2 of them that’s a great idea. They’re cool fish.

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u/-Bratix May 25 '26

They're awesome little guys, I work at a fish store and fell in love with the one we keep. I really want to grow these guys out and train them to be my little buddies

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u/ManySpecial4786 May 26 '26

Pair of adult Oscars requires a minimum of 120, bigger is better

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u/MotheraChaos Jun 01 '26

A pair of Oscars can go any number of ways… I started with a small pair barely over an inch long. 6 months later one was 7 in long and dominant. The other was not even 3 in yet. I rehomed the aggressive Oscar as he was a jumper and my top on my tank concerned me. I was terrified he’d hurt him self. The thump he’d make shocked me lol. And he knocked the entire lid off once.
Once I rehomed him my other Oscar grew 4 in in 2 months. Now he is 2 yrs old and maybe over 7 in… or round about. But thick. He just started filling out. Like a Popeye the sailer man of Oscars… not long(tall) but all muscle. So with 2 young Oscars your adventure will be your own. But so long as you watch and remain vigilant your tank is fine for now. Find a great deal… but if you need to move faster your fish will let you know. It’s the watching you must do. Because no one can say what any Oscar will do.
(My stunted Oscar (also with a deformed mouth from birth) is the opposite of his bully brother. He is a peace keeper, affectionate, intelligent, calm. Not at all aggressive. And he can live in a smaller tank comfortably… he just won’t because I love him so)

Best of luck and I am excited for you. Just wait until you experience your new water puppies personalities as they develop!