Looking to Buy Gouramis Later On

[CarpCharacin]

The commonly used rule of thumb for oscars is 55 gallons for one mature fish, definitely larger if possible, and they do grow very fast, this also includes no other tank mates.

75 gallons is the minimum for a single Oscar, IMO.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Start with the tank you need....too often people start with a smaller tank with intentions of upgrading as the fish grow, but that fish grows faster than expected or things happen and the upgrade is out of reach when the time comes. Also, even before the fish seems big enough to need the larger tank there can be negative effects of being housed in a tank smaller than they really need

 

[Table4Six]

75 gallons is the minimum for a single Oscar, IMO.

That’s why I added definitely larger if possible. Fish aquariums are expensive, so not everyone is able to afford such large tanks. But if it were me, I would go with at least 100 hundred gallons for even just one oscar. I always go over the top with aquariums.

 

[CarpCharacin]

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on local classifieds like Craigslist for good deals on tanks, I once picked up a 75 gallon for $35, it needed resealing, but it was a good deal nonetheless.

 

[Table4Six]

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on local classifieds like Craigslist for good deals on tanks, I once picked up a 75 gallon for $35, it needed resealing, but it was a good deal nonetheless.

That is a very nice deal! I have a 45 gallon salt water tank, equipped with the proper light to grow coral, and it was quite expensive. I haven’t set it up yet, maybe soon, I’m hoping to get some anglers.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Also, you don't have to keep fish in aquariums. Plastic stock tanks are super cheap at tractor-supply style places, you can get a 200 gallon for less than $100, and you can put fish in those. You just have to figure out how to cover it over with a lid.

Table4Six, most anglerfish that you can get for aquariums are big chunky things that eat a lot and put out a lot of waste. You're looking at 1 of the smaller species, as in a single fish, and nothing else- they're shockingly greedy and WILL attempt to eat anything that's not twice as big as they are. Not the best beginner saltwater fish.

 

[Table4Six]

Also, you don't have to keep fish in aquariums. Plastic stock tanks are super cheap at tractor-supply style places, you can get a 200 gallon for less than $100, and you can put fish in those. You just have to figure out how to cover it over with a lid.

Table4Six, most anglerfish that you can get for aquariums are big chunky things that eat a lot and put out a lot of waste. You're looking at 1 of the smaller species, as in a single fish, and nothing else- they're shockingly greedy and WILL attempt to eat anything that's not twice as big as they are. Not the best beginner saltwater fish.

I am well aware of their carnivorous habits and I’m talking varieties that reach 4 inches at maximum length. I currently own a dinosaur bichir, they reach sizes of up to 18” sometimes larger, and are by no means a fish for beginners.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Don't get me wrong, they're great fish. But if you put a 4" angler in your tank, you aren't going to be able to put any fish smaller than something like 7" with it,and I can't think of any 7" fish (except eels, which are too thin for angler housing) that would also fit in a 45g. Not happily, not with the amount of live rock you need in a saltwater tank, especially one with a messy thing like an angler. Anglers are really inactive, though, so I suppose you could put a mesh divider in the tank and keep something small on the side away from the angler. They don't exactly need a lot of space to move.

 

[Table4Six]

Don't get me wrong, they're great fish. But if you put a 4" angler in your tank, you aren't going to be able to put any fish smaller than something like 7" with it,and I can't think of any 7" fish (except eels, which are too thin for angler housing) that would also fit in a 45g. Not happily, not with the amount of live rock you need in a saltwater tank, especially one with a messy thing like an angler. Anglers are really inactive, though, so I suppose you could put a mesh divider in the tank and keep something small on the side away from the angler. They don't exactly need a lot of space to move.

I have read they are great fish. My tank would not contain any other fish except one angler. I have done a fair amount of research on the species and understand the risks of placing smaller fish as tank mates.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It's always a good idea to keep an eye on local classifieds like Craigslist for good deals on tanks, I once picked up a 75 gallon for $35, it needed resealing, but it was a good deal nonetheless.

Yep....got a steal on my 72 bow front because it needed resealing.
Got my 125 and two 75s (all sold when we moved cross country) from craigslist too.
Being a lifelong sufferer of MTS (multiple tank syndrome), married to one and parent to two we've had a houseful of tanks at different times....I "only" have one these days, lol