Red Oscars

Question
QUESTION: I asked this question earlyier to another expert and got no response. i was  what the growth rate for  were... i have 2 red  ones the size of a quarter and the other is about the size of a toonie i have them in a 20 gallon tank to start i was wondering what there growth rate was like... I feed them about 25% of a brine shrimp cube in the morning and a night.

ANSWER: Hello,
Oscars grow very big.  One Oscar needs a 60 gallon tank all to himself to be happy, and healthy.  Two Oscars, you double that to 120 gallons.  Forcing Oscars to live in small tanks will stunt their growth.  Their organs will not be able to develop properly, and they will die.  The Oscar is one of the most mistreated fish on the market, and it is a real sin.  They make wonderful pets, are very intelligent, and are very special.  Too many vendors don't give you the right information on Oscars, they will lie, just to sell.  This is sad for the fish, and the person who has grown so attached to them.  Once big, not one Pet Store will take the poor thing back.  I'm sorry that I have to tell you this, but it's the truth.
In a tank where they can grow properly, and are fed Oscar Pellets, a good flake, bloodworms, and a variety of good food, they will grow one inch a month.  Never feed them feeder fish.  Feeder fish are full of disease, and the Oscars will get sick.  They also have no nutritional value.
If you have anymore questions, don't hesitate to write me.  There are many other fish that would be happy in a 20 gallon tank, unfortunately, the Oscar is not one of them.
Lynda

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QUESTION: Sorry Lynda if the tank size made you mad its just temp im currently in the midst of moving and i havnt got the room for anouther large tank the oscars arnt very big though so i can see how the size of the tank would stunt there gorth quickly ... the reason i asked the question was so i know how much time i really have before i have to transfer them to a new tank. i would never feed them feeder fish and there to small for pellets thats why im using brineshrimp they acually take to it really well. I already have 2 100 gallon tanks both of them have fish and im currently looking into a 120 gallon tank for the oscars. Anouther question i had is that one of the oscars is more beefer then the other would that be because hes a male?

Answer
Hi,
You didn't make me angry.  I receive so many letters, and feel sorry for the people that have bought Oscars, and didn't know what to do with them once they got big.  They were lied to, and that is what really makes me angry.  Many vendors who sells these fish, are not  truthful enough to tell the customer that soon they would need a big tank.  The reason they don't tell customers is because they know, that they will find out once it is too late, and that they are really attached to the fish ..  Then they sell them a bigger tank...it's a money making machine, and that is why it makes me angry, not you, the vendors!  
The bigger one could be a male.  It is so difficult to tell with Oscars.  The only way I can tell the difference is when they mate.  The male is usually bigger than the female.
Almost all frozen foods are good for the Oscars until they get to be bigger.  Bloodworms, mysis, etc.   You will have to start feeding them a good flake soon.  Crush it up into small pieces.  Get them use to dry food slowly.  Eventually when they are big enough to eat pellets, soak them a little first.  Oscars often get Swim Bladder problems, and it is mostly due to poor diet, and overfeeding.  
I'm sorry you thought I was angry with you.
Lynda