Tank mates for Oscars

[Shannon B.]

Hi! I am interested in getting some information on possible tank mates for Oscars. I have a 125 gallon tank and I love Oscars. The only problem is, I have had many problems with aggressive Oscars in the past. I've been considering Firemouth Cichlids, Bala Sharks, Iridescent Sharks, Gars, and Clown Loaches as possibilities. I previously had 2 Oscars in the 125 tank, but had to get rid of them because they did not get along with each other at all. I'm not interested in breeding any fish either.

Does anyone have any suggestions for possible tank mates, especially any other fish with personalities similar to Oscars who are maybe less aggressive? Also, on how many and how big they should be to start with? Also, is it better to start with smaller or larger Oscars? I've always gotten them at about 1" to start before... I'll probably stick with only 1 or maybe 2 Oscars, depending on the feedback I get.

[vfrex]

I have a 125 that I started around May. In it I have 1 oscar, 1 jack dempsey, 1 pleco, 3 silver dollars. There haven't really been any aggression problems. The oscar and dempsey started off around 1". Silver dollars started around 3. Pleco around 3 as well.

[tuthelimit]

Remember, IR sharks get HUGE, I MEAN HUGE. A 125 is no where near big enough.

I am not sure what Gar you are speaking of, but most get giant as well.

In a 125 try a single Oscar with a 8-10" facy pleco, some silver dollars and some smaller geophagus sp.

GL
ttl

[oscarlvr]

try the choclate ciclids, (h temporalis), nice color as adults and very non aggresive, i agree with silver dollars, how bout a severun or two., even larger bala sharks, or med sized loaches

good luck

bob

[Lynsey]

I have a Blood Parrot with my Oscar. The have grown up together, and get along great. I know that Blood Parrots are controversial, but I think I tried every other cichlid with no avail. The BP and Oscar hang out together, and even go in the same pot together. My Oscar is about 10" and my BP is about 4-5". They both were about 2-3" when I got them.

I also have a pink-tailed chalceus in the tank. That is a nice peaceful, colorful fish that is not aggressive. They would do nicely in your tank, and don't get quite as big as the balas. They stay around 10".

I would definately get all the cichlids as juvies so they have a better chance of getting along when they are bigger.

[JacksontoKobe]

I would not trust and oscar with a Bala Shark. Dempseys are a definite possibility so are cons. Buy your oscars small thats definitley the way to go.

[NickH]

I think your best best would be Severums or the original Parrot cichlids, if you can find them. These fish like the same water parameters as Oscars, grow to a decent size (9" and 12" respectively) and defend themselves well without being scrappy like a Firemouth or Convict would be. By NOT scrappy I mean they are easy going until cornered or picked on. I think Severums have good personality as well (never kept Parrots).

[blee358]

I think most cichlids that would not be able to get eaten by the oscar would be good. Convicts, dempseys, or blood parrots are some common cichlid i've seen with oscars. There is also the occasional pacu, but those get way too big for a 125.
I think a needlefish is a gar and may do fine with an oscar. They get up to a foot though and like to school. I don't know much about the fish so you may wanna look up on that.

[Shane]

For a 125 GL. there are a few options. (my opinion) Though each fish would require an attentive approach to co-existence. here are my suggestions: in temperment order...

1) Uaru amphiacanthoides (Uaru) a large slow moving fish with a suprisingly peaceful temperment for a cichlid. These species can take care of itself quite well in the presence of other predatory fish such as the oscar.

2) Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum (Texas Cichlid) simmilar to the Carpinte Cichlid. Nice coloration and grows to 12".

3) Morulius Chrysophekadion (Black Shark) an Omnivouros south east asian, A very hearty species and speaking from experience, other "big" fish don't know what to make of them. The coloring starts out black and turns velvety as they mature. they grow up to 20" and thrive in a climate similar to South American Cichlids. Primarily: Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand, and Cambodia. They relish supplemental green foods and are a big help to your bottom feeders, since they prefer the lower level of the tank. They do cruise! and are always looking for a meal. Younger ones are almost depicted as a " Tedious and Nervous" species. Once mature, they can take care of themselves. If looking this up and finding species, they are also classified in the genus "Labeo"Quite a treasured fish.

3) The "Nasty's" : Jack dempsey's, Green Terrors,Red Devils, Managuense(The Ultimate) then theres a Dovii....

[munkee]

Originally posted by Shane

3) The "Nasty's" : Jack dempsey's, Green Terrors,Red Devils, Managuense(The Ultimate) then theres a Dovii....

er.. i'd try to avoid doviis, RDs, jags and texas cichlids..

[friend of oscar]

Once at a store I saw a 14 inch black shark beating up a 10 inch oscar and the oscar was missing all of its scales and its fins were ripped up pretty bad. Black sharks can get pretty big. You might could fit one in there and see how it would do but Id be careful.
I have right now a rainbow shark with my oscar. They do just fine and the shark is really fast so you wouldnt have to worry about it getting eaten. Good luck.

[Anneuryzm]

I would advise against putting a Texas Cichlid in there with your Oscar.

I bought 2 oscars and one Texas Cichlid all the same day, who were in the same tank at the fish store. I brought them home at around 2" or so, and they all did fine together for over a month and a half.
As soon as they all hit around 4", just like what everyone told me was going to happen, the Texas lost it's friggin' mind and was entirely intolerable of anything else in the tank, including the pleco.
I had to get rid of him last month because he was really tearing up on my oscars. They aren't very friendly fish.

[JacksontoKobe]

I wouldnt suggest a rainbow shark either I had a red tail in with my Oscar and he never got to come out of his caves. He was constantly stressed and every once in a while he would have a rip out of his side.