Oscar tankmates?

[Wilsta]

What are some tankmates that i can put with my oscar, (I dont have the tank yet so dont ask me on dimensions) all i am interested in is what would you recommend?

or what should I avoid putting in with him?

I like firemouths and blue acaras will they be fine with an oscar?

how bout silver dollars?

I dont want an aggressive tank and i honestly dont know how my oscar will act because he has never been with any other fish before other than an other oscar that he beat the crap out of. how would i introduce the new fish without World war 3
occuring?

thanks in advance

 

[missyintx_99]

Wow, you are going to have some trouble regardless. If your going to add tankmates into a tank that your Oscar already dominates in, he's not going to be happy about it.
My Oscar is probably 9.5-10" now. He lives with a 5-6" Texas and a 5-6" Green Terror. They were all moved into the tank at the same time. And for now, the Oscar rules the tank but thats just because of his size.

I don't know about the acaras since I've never kept them, but I have a pair of Firemouths now. The ones I have right now, I probably wouldn't hesitate to put with the Oscar once they get big enough not to be dinner. But I've had one in the past that was way too timid and would never have worked with an Oscar.

As for the rest of your questions the only advise I can think to give you is this:
if you're getting a bigger tank, which I believe you are, then add all fish you plan to have in there at the same time.
If you're planning to add new fish to the tank the Oscar is already in, then I would rearrange all the tank decorations and then immediately afterwards add the new fish. They will have to establish territories, but with the tank all redone, the O will have to rethink whats his. (I hope that makes sense, its pretty late for me right now)
And of course, what you decide to add as a tankmate is really going to depend on what size tank your planning to get.
Of course, all of this totally depends on the personality of your fish. Your Oscar may not act anything like mine, and the same is true with any other cichlids. Thats the great thing about them.
I hope some of this helps, and I'm sure someone with more experience will be along to add to this!

 

[Losi]

Wilsta,
thanks for the responce to my question in the other forum.

I think I will ask the bloke at my LFS as he has Oscars and will let you know what I do and how it goes.

 

[Wilsta]

cool losi keep me posted when you recieve some information.

 

[Losi]

cool losi keep me posted when you recieve some information

Will do!

 

[thecichlidaddict]

The Oscar would do OK with any cichlid that is similar in size and not too aggressive. I think one firemouth would probably work. Whatever you do don't get more then one of any kind, the only fish more aggressive then a cichlid is a breeding cichlid.

missyintx_99 was right on.
Adding a companion to an Oscar that is already alone is trickier. I'd also suggest removing the Oscar, rearranging the decor of the tank, and then placing both him and the new fish into the tank at the same time. This way (hopefully) the Oscar won't view the whole tank as his, and territories will need to be re-established. IF you are getting a new tank then don't put the Oscar in it until you have the new fish.

If your new tank is any less then a four foot 75 gallon I would not put anything in with him, it's just asking for trouble. A 5 foot tank would be a better idea, and in a 6 footer your options really open up.

 

[Wilsta]

The tank will be a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft not quite sure what the dimensions will be in gallons. thats quite a largish tank for just one fish

I think i am going to get 1 Firemouth, 1 Blue Acara and 1 Gold Severum with my oscar see how it goes.... if there is much aggressiveness shown then i will return them

What sizes should i need to get if i have a 6" oscar any ideas?

Is it possible to get any more fish ???