Can an Oscar & Arowana live together?

[ftech69]

Just reset my 55gal have no other fish in there. Would like to get an Oscar, but I would also like to get an arowana eventually, would they be able to live together or do I have to choose between the two? Any suggestions?

 

[haynchinook334]

Um...yes they can. But, not in a 55gal.

 

[remo1997]

just the oscar in the 55 gallon and just him......do some research and you'll see

 

[ftech69]

I didn't think they'd be able to be in a tank that size for long. Was going to get little ones an when they started to grow big enough I'd upsize tank.

 

[haynchinook334]

If that's the case, wait for the upgrade, then get the fish/fishes. Or you can keep the oscar in the tank for about 6 to 10 months.

 

[Bderick67]

Don't mix arowana and big cichlids until the arowana is 10-11" long and at least twice as long as the cichlid. With that being said the biggest aro you should keep in a 55g would be 11-12". Arowana grow very quickly so a standard 55g is not a good option as it will only last a couple months.

 

[ilovearowana]

dude 55 gallon is way too small for ur arowana to fit in. In the mean time you can grab the fish u want to raise and change ur tank later on when ur out of space.

 

[ftech69]

Thanks for your help everyone.People have been telling me a fish will only get as big as your tank will allow it. I don't believe it. That's also the second reason why I asked this question?

 

[phillydog1958]

Size and timing matters. I purchased my silver at 6-7 inches and introduced him to the tank first. I gave him a few months to adjust and then introduced 2 small oscars of about 3 to 4 inches. They grew together and all got along very well. After a year of peace and harmony, I recently gave the oscars away. Do not introduce an arowana into a tank with well-established oscars. Also, always make sure the oscars are smaller than the arowana, because they grow quickly.

 

[knifegill]

a fish will only get as big as your tank

You are smarter than the average bear to doubt this. The reason small tanks stunt fish is that a smaller amount of water is easier to pollute. So the metabolic wastes of the fish accumulate faster and stress the fish out. According to some, the outside of the body will stop growing while the organs continue to grow, eventually compressing each other and killing the fish. I don't know if that has been proven, but it is known that poor water quality, as found in too small a tank, will absolutely compromise a fish's growth and health. That's why 55g is too small for an Oscar unless you want to be doing 50% water changes twice per week or more by the time he's 10" or so.