tankmates for an Oscar fish??

I had thought about this during my last reply, because I like buying young fish and raisingthem as well.
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But I figured you would have your hands full taking care of the oscar and rearranging everything else.
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Well...first things first as they say! These are my summer projects and going to take the next few months...but I like to plan ahead :dive2:

having researched it more I don't think the JD is the best idea for what I'm going for with this tank. My Oscar is raher docile in nature(I know that may change as he gets older) but he almost died(he was a rescue...I had no intention of having an oscar again...) he was in with two convicts, and a pacu :duh: (yes I gave my friend a whacking) but I nursed it back to health...and I don't want to take the chance that the JD might show aggression...as this oscar is now my baby! so now I am thinking as suggested previously maybe a rainbow ciclid and a Severum.
I am still surprised...I should let it go or I might get or :duh:
but are you sure it wouldn't be alright to have the seveum and oscar in the 55? One 9" Oscar(by the time to upgrade) and say maybe a 5" or so severum? Then I could start raising up the severum in the 30 and when I upgrade to the 55 introduce them then?? Then when I upgrade to the 100 add the rainbow that I will have raised in a separate tank...
You guys are awesome!
 
Well, the thing is that oscars are very messy eaters. When they eat (especially shrimp pellets), they have a tendency to shoot small particles of food out of their gills.

As I said before, you could get the severum now, and start rasing it. If you want to have them both in the 55, that's fine as long as the severums not too small, and you diligently check the params on your water.

When I had my oscars, I would do huge water changes and gravel vaccums every week.

I'm glad you decided against the JD. Although it can be done, I prefer not to see highly aggressive fish with oscars (I used to have a flowerhorn, and a gt with my oscars, but I gave them to my buddy steve).

Good luck with the tank,
Serg
 
but are you sure it wouldn't be alright to have the seveum and oscar in the 55? One 9" Oscar(by the time to upgrade) and say maybe a 5" or so severum? Then I could start raising up the severum in the 30 and when I upgrade to the 55 introduce them then?? Then when I upgrade to the 100 add the rainbow that I will have raised in a separate tank...
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The potential for disaster is very high with this idea. Can it be done? yes. Will it be easy? no. Would I reccomend it? No.

There are folks all over the world who keep these large cichlids in 55g tanks. This doesn't mean it is a good thing to do so. You seem to have a true concern for your fish and their health, and therefore I would not reccomend doing this. Oscars just grow too fast for it to be a good idea IMO. You may get away with it, and you may do a lot of hard work and lose your Oscar or other fish anyhow. The potential especially for HITH is very high when you put an Oscar in a crowded tank. Severums are good at holding their own with mildly aggressive fish, but in a small tank with a 9" oscar there will be nowhere for it to go.
Whatever you do I hope it works out well, But my personal thought is to wait a few months, and not set yourself up for a lot of extra work or heartache.
Dave
 
I agree -- having been there. I had a 4-5" Severum, along with some other fish in a 55. Added a young (1.5") Oscar, and everything was fine for a few months. The O and the Sev were best buddies. However, when the O hit about 6 or 7" size, and his "terrible teen" stage, it just wasn't a good scene. Lots of aggression from the O, and a constant battle with water params and HITH. Got a large tank, and you could literally see everyone relax. O and Sev went back to being buddies, struggle with HITH went away. Got the Sev a partner, and now they're spawning regularly. Moral of the story is that the big cichlids really do so much better in a big tank. That's why those of us who have been through been through it are so adamant about giving them more space than you think they'll need, as you're looking at your 3" youngsters. Trust us. Go large, and go soon, or stick with smaller fish.
 
I agree -- having been there. I had a 4-5" Severum, along with some other fish in a 55. Added a young (1.5") Oscar, and everything was fine for a few months.
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I understand everyone's points here...but the example you gave isn't exactly what i'm talking about as I am only talking about 2 fish, whereas you are talking at least 5...big difference in my opinion.
what really is confusing me though is In the care sheets right here on this site, it says 2 adult oscars need a minimum of 55 gallons, which I don't totally agree with, i think two adult oscars...even on adult oscar should be in a minimum 100 gallon...but why then not a juvenile Severum and juvenile Oscar...
but here's what I've decided...and I know already not every one is going agree with it...I will get the Severum and 'raise him up' separate and will wait until I get the 55 set up before introducing him...I have another 55(that just needs a few repairs) that I can set up for the severum if the O shows sign of aggression...then If I need to try the introduction again when the 100 is set up...and of course come back here and eat crow and allow you all to say " I told you so"
 
K get hte jack dempsy im 100% sure that he will go good with the oscar trust me. with your oscar only get aggressive fish i dont no much on peacok eals but if they're up for a fight go for it!
 
FishFreak101 said:
K get hte jack dempsy im 100% sure that he will go good with the oscar trust me. with your oscar only get aggressive fish i dont no much on peacok eals but if they're up for a fight go for it!
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FishFreak, it's very irresponsible to suggest fish that you know nothing about.

It's even more irresponsible to put fish together in hopes of seeing 'a good fight'. Please don't do that anymore.
 
Sry i was only trying to help :(
 
FishFreak101 said:
Sry i was only trying to help :(
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No worries. That's really nice of you :) . I know exactly how you feel because I enjoy doing the same. The best way we can help, is to do a little research if maybe they are having a hard time finding info. and maybe give them some possible leads.

We all know how our hobby is flooded with misconceptions, so we gotta make sure we don't fall victim to reinforcing them. :dance2: Hope I didn't hurt your feelings.


In keeping with the thread, I believe large peaceful/semi aggressive fish are best with oscars:

Severums
Festivums
Tinfoil barbs
Bala sharks
etc.....
 
If you do get a bala shark dont ge the small kind ok.... or else......nvm thx
 
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