Question on Astronotus ocellatus "Oscar"

J

jordank

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Dec 11, 2004
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I'm purchasing a 90-125 gallon tank once my basement is completed (finishing it, right now its just a cold damp place.), and I would love to have an oscar in it. I'm assuming only 1, since my tank isnt really big enough for 2. I've read there are some cichlids that will do well with the oscar, and that silver dollars will do fine. Are these statements true? I've done a forum search and haven't come up with anything valuable information wise. Would an oscar be fine with a sand substrate, or should I stick with smaller gravel. As for Filteration i plan to get a tank with an overflow and a sump. And since i've read Oscars are messy I will do extra filterage. Also just to confirm, no live plants, just some rocks and a driftwood perhaps? (Many of the sites i've read about Oscars clash information so i'm just trying to confirm).

Thanks!
 
I've had Oscars for 3 years. Just recently switched to smaller community type fish. I'm no authority on Oscars, but I can tell you my experience. First, with enough filtration, water changes and gravel vacs. a 90-125 gal tank could house two oscars easy and comfortably. I had two in my 55 (13X48X20) and they did fine and seemed to be happy. I didn't have a lot of decor because with only a 55 I wanted all the swimming room I could get. My Oscars liked to scoop up the substrate and move it around, so I would recommend gravel. I also recommend securing your fake plants to the bottom of the tank with some aquarium safe epoxy before you fill it with water. I never could keep the plants where I wanted them with the Oscars...they always ended up floating at the top. I would also get those rubber type unbreakable heaters, I've went through a few of the glass ones. Same thing with thermometers, sticky type outside the aquarium is best, I've went through about 3 glass ones. I had two Oscars, one Pacu, one Jack Dempsey, and a Pleco. I can recommend the Jack, but not the Pacu. The Pacu will get too large for even a 125. A friend of mine had a 125 with one Oscar, one Pacu, one Jack Dempsey, one large catfish, one Aowana, and one other cyclid that can't remember the name of but it was all white and about the same size as a Jack Dempsey. Everyone in the tank got along fine, but they were definately territorial and had each staked out a claim in the tank and would defend it if any other fish happened by. The only fish able to swim around in the tank without much trouble were the cat and the Arowana. Eventually he moved everyone into a 240 because the Pacu just got enourmous. My advice on stocking would be two Oscars, one Jack Dempsey, one Pleco, and maybe a couple of silver dollars....with rigorous filtration. Also, feed once every other day. This helps keep your tank cleaner and you don't need these guys to grow any faster than they will already. If you feed everyday, they end up just chewing it up and spitting it out. If you feed once every other day, they are so hungry that they eat it all with little waste. Sorry for the long post.

J
 
Thanks for your input, i'd like to get a few before i get set on 2 oscars, silver dollars and a pleco.
 
I agree, two Oscars will live very comfortably in a 125g.

This is what I would do -- get high quality stock from a local breeder, or tangled up in cichlids. Start out with a half dozen, let them grow out and pair up. Keep the best pair and sell off the others while they are still small. If you start out with good quality, you'll have no problem finding homes for the extras.
Cross your fingers and you'll have a breeding pair.
 
Yea, 2 Oscars and a Pleco would do very nicely. Planning on getting a 150 g and 3 oscars and 2 plecs
 
Ah thats a very good idea. :).
I think i will do that :-D. (buy quite a few and pair them off)
 
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One Oscar, 4-6 Red hook Silver Dollars and a either a Plec (major poop machine) or a Cat ( Jaguar or Lace Cat would be nice.).
 
do you think an oscar would do fine in a 55 gallon with the only tankmate being a pleco. also do oscars eat feeders?
 
do you think an oscar would do fine in a 55 gallon with the only tankmate being a pleco. also do oscars eat feeders?
Click to expand...
The 55 gal will suffice, its pretty much the minimum for a adult Oscar, but it'll work with good filtration and bi-weekly 15-20% PWC's.
I would not put a Plec in with the Oscar, Plecs are poop machines and will IMHO be a severe burden to your bio-capacity which the Oscar will already have pretty much maxed out.
Feeders are not recommended, particularly when store bought and un-qaurantined, if you want to use feeders then raise them yourself or qaurantine thouroghly to prevent transmission of disease.
Feeders are actually fairly poor food nutrionally speaking and should IMO be used as a occasional treat, perhaps one every other day or less.
 
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