The number one question you are tired of….
I really can’t stop thinking about an Oscar but I have a 75g…. 48x18x20+. I have read till my eyes hurt (months) and I struggle on getting one due to respect for the fish and knowing my possible limits. Getting back in the fish game as an adult and have what I feel is a pretty good setup getting pieced together. I kind of feel that more than 1 fish is more my vibe but the Oscar is more my style.
Is the 75g rule true? Not opposed to being told yes but is it actually true. I know the depth of 18 is close on a 12 inch fish.
Are they happy solo? Or do they want something else with them to swim by or bump… he’ll even bully possibly…
Will an FX4 be good enough? I went fx4 due to thinking I was moving away from the Oscar idea but now have one new in a box.
Is the maintenance work it? Honestly trying to do as much research as possible for the best water quality but understand they are messy eaters and have poop so bioload is what it is…. But are the water dogs truly worth it (in all seriousness)
For comparison past tanks as a teenager were Walmart fish options and it was great but new to cichlids. If not going Oscar I was thinking native sunfish.
Open to honest and respectful feedback. I’m okay with being told an Oscar might not be in the cards for we with this setup but I just want to make sure and always regardless of the animal or pet care with respect and a good quality of life.
Thank you in advance.