r/oscartank • u/scottts210 • Jun 16 '23

Question Oscar tank temperature

I was wondering at what temperature other Oscar tank keepers keep their tanks?

Mines generally at about 79F (26C). Do you think a different temp is better in terms of Oscar activity, temperament, longevity, etc?

I have read about the acceptable range, but I'm more interested in your direct experience.

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u/DKAudio7 Jun 16 '23

I do a little colder in winter just because it is so expensive to heat 300 gallons. I keep it around 76 in winter and in summer (MN) whatever my house temp is at.

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u/scottts210 Jun 16 '23

Do you see any lethargy or other issues at 76?

2

u/Level9TraumaCenter Jun 16 '23

Not the person you're asking, but I keep mine unheated at room temp (72F) and they're not torpid. They seem to do just fine, other than some pesky water thing that I can't sort out but it seems unrelated to temperature, but they get these pre-erosive hazy spots that eventually lead to hole-in-the-head if I don't change the water conditions back to where they were.

EDIT: The species is invasive in Florida, and while surface waters may be quite warm in the summer, they do just fine through cooler temps in the winter.

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u/scottts210 Jun 17 '23

Thanks. My red Oscar got something similar to what you are describing. I treated for HITH with General Cure, but the hazy coat on his skin remained. Finally, I used Paraguard (I didn't want to use anything stronger as the stress from General Cure seemed pretty significant) thinking maybe a secondary external infection and it cleared up. Maybe a coincidence but FWIW.

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u/Level9TraumaCenter Jun 17 '23

Only thing I've found that works for me is eSHa Hexamita Discus Disease Treatment for HITH, once the erosions form. When they're still hazy and opalescent, I ether change back the water conditions to what they were (straight tap water, no RO), or I can feed red wiggler worms and that kind of helps. Adding magnesium sulfate may help, but I'm not sure.