Oscar tankmates?

[daveedka]

Even if you put a female with the male, it doesn't mean they will mate

This is true, it is very rare that Oscars mate when there are only two in the tank, they seem to be pretty selective about mates not to mention virtually impossible to sex. If you have the good misfortune of getting them to mate, they will bring top dollar with breeders, and although you would have to say goodbye and get new pets it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I have traditionally raised two Oscars together and have never lucked into a pair this way. If it were me I would go with a JD, his mouth may be smaller, but you probably won't notice because his attitude and colors will hide it well

 

[voteappel]

I've read that two Oscars will fight when they hit maturity, regardless of the size of their tank.

And I thought about a JD, as I do love JD's a lot. The thing is, a JD is a Central America fish, thus it does best in somewhat hard water, whereas South American's do best in soft water.

 

[Lila]

I've had two nine inch oscars in a tank together and occasionally you would see them lock lips. They never did much more than that.



Lila

 

[daveedka]

a JD is a Central America fish, thus it does best in somewhat hard water, whereas South American's do best in soft water.

This may be technically true, but in reality the requirements aren't that critical on hard vs soft, and the ph/ temp requirements are pretty much identical. Most fish adapt very well to different PH and hardness levels, as long as the levels are constant. In addition to this, Oscars especially, but most (not all) of the big American Cichlids are very adaptable, unless you're planning to breed, there won't be problem. I have kept, and have several friends who have kept Oscars and JD's together. The only real big concern is tank size and maintenance.

 

[some_guy]

Originally posted by Lila Boffins
I've had two nine inch oscars in a tank together and occasionally you would see them lock lips. They never did much more than that.



Lila

exactly, i have a 2 in. jd, and TWO 3-4 in Oscars in a 55 until i get my 125, my point is that if i feed the fish worms than the tiger O will get one but thats were the jd comes in a snatches it out of its mouth, my jd is one bad *** fish, he can actually ruel my cons and i bet if the cons and the jd fought the jd might lose to my 5-8 cons, i would probebly say the jd would put up the better fight. but some are not as agressive. my firemouth is a badass fish as well, does the same with the cons, got his teritory in the tank and the cons have theirs. your O wouldnt mess with the jd or maybe even a firemouth unless the jd would mess with them, same with the jd.

 

[voteappel]

I'm so tempted to just forget about thinking about other fish and just get another Oscar to keep my current Oscar company, but I have this fear, based on the the four stories I've read so far, where the two get along just fine, until one day, when one just starts harrasing the other until he's dead or at least very injured. I work all day, and I don't want to have to start with a divider...:-(

Of course, they don't say how big a tank the two Oscars are in. Maybe they're in a 55 gallon or something, but, from what you're saying, two Oscars shouldn't fight, or at least not fight to any serious injuries, in a 90 or bigger, correct?

Hmmm...well, I'll go to the pet store and make my decision then.

So, final poll...

In a 90 gallon tank, with an Oscar and a Pleco, would you more likely put:

A) another Oscar
B) a JD
C) a Chocolate Cichlid
D) a Severum
E) A and B
F) B and D
G) A and C
H) B and C
I) B and D
J) C and D

 

[roliva]

I currently have an albino tiger oscar and a jack dempsey living peacefully together in a 75 gallon (with a pleco which I bought later so it is like the situation you want to have). I bought them both at the same time about a 1.5 years ago when they were both around 2 inches long. Although now the oscar is 10.5 inches long and the Jack about 4.5 inches they get along great. Sometimes though you may not have that luck and you may just get a fish that is downright nasty. I feel it does help if you grow them up together.

Romeo.