Oscar advice!

[Ferris]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a large tank in the near future, probably 125 gal, maybe slightly larger.

I've always wanted an Oscar, most likely a Tiger Oscar. 1st question is are they OK on their own or better in pairs?

Also I want this tank to have a few large fish as opposed to lots of small ones. I'm thinking at the moment 3 Bala's, 1 Firemouth, 1 green Severum and perhaps a couple of others. So are Oscar's, FM's, Bala's and green Sevs OK together?

Also does anyone have any suggestions of interesting compatible Oscar tankmates?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nc_nutcase]

Oscars do well by themselves or in groups (3 or more). Oscars are hard to 'pair off' so don't expect to be able to pick a juvi male and female.

My Oscars are with Pacu and Convicts currently... have kept Jack Dempsey, Green Terror, Texas Cichlid, Clown Knives, etc. with Oscars all successfully. This was usually with a small 'pack' of Oscars though.

I would think Balas, Firemouths and Green Severums would all make good tank mates for Oscars. Do remember that your Oscars will grow faster than any of these three fish. So if your Oscar is the runt of the tank when they are all babies, he very well may end up the king of the tank in 6 months.

Just about all of my Oscar experience is with groups of 3 or more. In that situation you can keep Oscars with almost any large cichlid. The will usually school and defend themselves as a pack if necessary, but they aren't overly aggressive so they typically do not terrorize slightly weaker fish. It seems to me that keeping them individually would remove the security of fellowship and may make them more likely to be aggressive.

 

[Ferris]

Thanks nc,

Ever have any problems with Oscar's picking fights with other Oscar's? I keep Mbuna and this is a major factor so I'm just being a bit cautious.

Also, with a 125 gal as an example, If i got 1 Oscar, 1FM, 3 Bala's and a green sev, what further stocking levels would you suggest based on similar sized fish to Oscar's?

Thanks again for the useful info.

 

[nc_nutcase]

Any time you have multiple cichlids of the same species (and usually even amongst different species) there will be a certain amount of 'fighting' to establish the pecking order of the tank. If you only have two Oscars it will be competitive, but with 3 or more they tend to school together and get along well.

If you look at the fish in my 125 gal in my signature below, it has recently reached the point I would consider it overstocked. With the fish you listed I would say you will be able to raise the fish to adult hood without much problem. I've never kept Balas but I understand they will get about 12 inches and be mildly aggressive, they may outgrow the tank.

If you put more fish than you mentioned in it you should be fine for a while but as they mature (which also tends to be when they get more aggressive naturally) you will most likely see signs of increased fighting.

 

[Ferris]

Thanks again nc,

I notice you've got a convict in there, that's something I'd not considered. African's are my field of expertise and i've always liked Convicts but can't put one with my Mbuna (not a good idea, either the Mbuna will kill it when added or if it survived it would probably pick a few Mbuna off when it reaches maturity )

Any probs/issues with the Convict?

Also i'm really keen to get lots of suggestions/advice here guys, i know you must get loads of Oscar questions here but come on....share your wealth of knowledge with me.

 

[Ferris]

Please!

 

[freddyk]

A convict is fine, but a breeding pair will very likely shred the Oscar.

You also have the option of larger non-cichlids like tinfoil barbs and silver dollars. A schoal of tinfoils can really add activity to the tank.

Ever have any problems with Oscar's picking fights with other Oscar's?

I once saw what was a very nice oscar, about 14", that had its lower lip ripped completely off in a liplock fight. I don't think this is typical, but it's a good example of just how aggressive they can be.

 

[Chad08]

I currently have a Firemouth, Texas, Jack Dempsey, 3 Tinfoil barbs, and 3 pictus catfish all together in my 120. And they all get along fine. A little aggression between the Texas and FM but I think thats because they are both males. But everyone knows who the boss is. lol...I also have kept a male convict in my 120 also. And that worked out fine. But I have him with my female convict in a 29 with fry. Hope this helps you.

 

[Ferris]

Thanks a lot freddyk (again) and Chad08, really good info and the convict looks like a definate now.

Cheers guys

P.S Are Aulonacara a possibility in this mix? freddyk in mind with this question.

 

[freddyk]

Aulonacara a possibility in this mix?

NOooo

 

[Ferris]

Ah well, thought not!