View Full Version : Oscar and Plecostomus mix?
My son has an 8" Oscar in a 75 gallon tank, by itself. I have 3 8-10 inch Plecos that are getting too big for my community tank, they tear up all of the plants. What would be the likelihood of success and survival if we put the plecos in with the Oscar?
jpappy789
10-22-2007, 5:22 PM
What kind of plecos are we talking about? If they are the common plecos that get well over a foot, 3 of them by themselves will eventually need MUCH more room than a 75. We are talking like 200 gallons+. Even at 8 inches a piece that might be a tad crowded for now.
But temperament-wise I do not think the oscar would bother the plecos too much but I am not sure...
Dwarf Puffers
10-22-2007, 5:35 PM
:iagree: 200-250g would be good for the plecos and oscar, maybe another oscar in a 250g if you wanted, you'd need some filters.
wataugachicken
10-23-2007, 10:01 AM
it would be best to either buy a larger tank (150g+) or find new homes for the plecos. while putting them in with the oscar will solve the plant problems in your community tank, the plecos still get too big to be kept in the 75. all of them in the 75 together is really pushing it. even though they are peaceful creatures, they can still become territorial and almost aggressive when they are cramped or hungry.
Star_Rider
10-23-2007, 2:47 PM
I love to hate the 'common' pleco..it is the dumping ground for pleco's as yet to be identified..
common plecos can range from 8-10" to almost 2' .
the problem is trying to figure out which 'common' you have.
I agree..best to err on the side of caution and get a much larger tank.
I even wonder if a 150 is big enough for some of the 'commons' I have seen..
one lfs had one that was approaching 2'..in a 150..that pleco had barely enough room to turn around.
jpappy789
10-23-2007, 2:54 PM
I love to hate the 'common' pleco..it is the dumping ground for pleco's as yet to be identified..
common plecos can range from 8-10" to almost 2' .
the problem is trying to figure out which 'common' you have.
I agree..best to err on the side of caution and get a much larger tank.
I even wonder if a 150 is big enough for some of the 'commons' I have seen..
one lfs had one that was approaching 2'..in a 150..that pleco had barely enough room to turn around.
I would have to agree. Even if the 3 max out at 10" they would need much more space so probably best to find better homes or do a large upgrade now...
hle_81
10-24-2007, 8:16 AM
A 75g tank is too small for a common pleco. They can grow to almost 2'.
silentskream
10-24-2007, 9:58 AM
as far as temperament, yes.. as far as size, yes, but not in a tank that small.
jpappy789
10-24-2007, 5:06 PM
A 75g tank is too small for a common pleco. They can grow to almost 2'.
It depends on species. But either one, yes I still think it would be too small...
aoscar
10-25-2007, 1:52 PM
mabey keep 1 plec and find a place for the rest. A good smaller fish for keeping with an oscar would be a salvini or 2 in that size tank