Oscars........

An alternative stocking, with coolwater North American natives:

Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) or shadow bass (A. ariommus)- similar in looks and behavior to oscars, but slightly smaller and not quite as apt to devour tankmates. 10-12" long.

Sunfish (Lepomis species)- a range of sizes and colors, similar to SA/CA cichlids. Longears (L. megalotis) and dollars (L. marginatus) are discus-like in coloration; greens (L. cyanellus) are quite similar to green terrors; and warmouth (L. gulosus) are like green oscars. 6-12" long, depending on species.

Golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), striped shiners (Luxilus chrysocephalus), common shiners (L. cornutus), silvery shiners (Cyprinella species)- large silvery cyprinids, quite similar to tinfoil barbs. 4-12" long, depending on species.

Pros for this stock: no heater necessary, plant-friendly, different from the usual, and these fish are slightly smaller than their tropical analogs, so you can keep more. I would say in a 110 you could keep a total of 4-8 centrarchids (bass + sunfish) and 6-20 shiners, depending on species. PM me if you want vendor names.
 
If you plan on getting an oscar and big tank mates make sure you overdose on filtration. They're very messy eaters, like to be fed often, and as their poop size is directly proportional to their body size. On my 150G I have a Fluval FX5 and a Rena XP4 hooked up. It's good enough for now but I have a sense that I'll be changing out that XP4 and putting in another FX5 in 12-18 months.
 
Sometimes, from my own experiences with Oscars, I get the feeling that their reputation proceeds them & many times gives them a bad wrap as to how aggressive they are.

Oscars ARE voracious & messy eaters & get on my nerves eating their eggs & being VERY picky choosing a mate, but they have sooo many other positives that they are a very endearing fish.

The thing I have noticed is that oscars are not as aggressive with other genres of fish as some people seem to think & they CAN be bossed around & beaten by some of the strangest fish that you'd not think would be able to do such.

I agree from my own experience with whomever it was that said that with "cover" (for the other fish or the oscars...) you'd be surprised at how many other fish can go in with oscars.

JMOpinion

gjx:)
 
Oscars are compatible with the Bala Shark, Clown Loach, Croaking Gourami, Firemouth Cichlid, Jack Dempsey, Pleco (Common), Silver Dollar, Sunshine Pleco L014, Texas Cichlid, Tinfoil Barb, Green Terror


Yes they are messy eaters! I run an AC500 (110) and a H.O.T. Magnum 250 on my 90.


Become a member of AC Oscar Club!!!
 
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My boyfriend has 2 oscars and 4 pictus catfish. He has tried many other cichlids in the tank but has constantly had aggression problems with them
 
I keep dwarf gouramis
And a 6.5in Oscar.Oscar went in his 120gl at thumb size with adult gouramis. So far So good.I would not try this with the flames the don't hold up well
 
BTW Oscar's are like big dogs under glass you come home and they get real happy to see you.They slobber when they eat and chew the sofa if upset lol
 
my oscars lived peacefully with sum black skirts,angel fish and gouramis all i did was make sure they where bigger than the os
 
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