Jonathan Wood wrote:

Cookie,


No they cannot. Oscars are TROPICAL fish NOT coldwater fish. That
would be like putting you in the Artic without a coat. Break down with
yourself and buy a heater! The water should be anywhere from 75 F to
82 F.


Well, I appreciate the response; however, I would point out to both you and
Polarhound that buying a heater is *not* the issue. As I pointed out (I
thought quite clearly), I have fish that do not want to live at 82F and I'm
hardly about to kill them off so that I can buy an Oscar. I was just curious
if an Oscar could survive in the tank I have. I guess not.

It doesn't need to be at 82F. Oscars can be happy in the mid 70's. The
ideal temp range for Oscars is 73-82.

Keeping Oscars at 64 will get you a lethargic unhappy fish. As well,
what happens if your heat goes out during the colder months? Even in
the south the temps can get down to frost-forming levels.