oscar can i get one

[convict cichlid]

hi i have a pare of breeding cons and a few other cons. i was just wondering if i could eventually or at some point get a red tiger oscar to watch grow up. i know that i will not be able to keep it because it will eventually out grow the tank but i realy want to watch one grow up. oh by the way i have a 55 gallon tank.

 

[natetee]

I would say yes, just try and get an oscar about the same size as your current fish. Be sure to check your pH before you go buy the new fish. If your pH is low (below 7 for south american cichlids), clean your gravel and do several 50% water changes over a couple of days. This will only work if the water you are using to refill the tank has a pH greater than 7. Otherwise, use a pH buffer to reach as close to 7 as possible. This will not hurt the cons as long as you do it slowly. In my experience, pH seems to be the biggest factor when introducing oscars into any tank (assuming they are not bigger than your other fish).

By the way, the oscar will eat any fry he can catch!

Hope this helps

B) Nate

 

[thecichlidaddict]

I don't recommend it.

Oscars grow very fast, and you will be needing to get rid of it quicker then you might think. What's the point?

 

[drobbins27]

55g is kinda small for an Oscar.

Other than that, CA hit the nail on the head above

 

[judcoynehunter]

i had 2 oscars in a 100gal tank and they out grew that with in 1 year so what is the piont also i put a convict in with them and they killed it the convict was twice the size they were at the time so think of you pair of convicts first !!

 

[flintstone]

By the way, the oscar will eat any fry he can catch!

I agree with nate on this one point.

But thecichlidaddict said it best:

I don't recommend it.

Oscar is not a good new tankmate in any case. Especially with your breeders

 

[convict cichlid]

thanks for your advice. that is what i was thinking but i just wanted to make sure that i could not keep one of those beautiful fish.