Yellow Lab and Oscar?

jessiej83

jessiej83

Frog on a Hog
May 23, 2006
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A friend of mine is moving and has to get rid of their fish. Three tetras and a yellow lab. I am going to put the tetras in my community tank. My husband has a 55gal tank with 1 oscar in it. I know I cannot put the yellow lab in my community so would it be ok to put it in with the oscar? They told me I would have a couple of days to decide if I wanted the fish or not, if not my friend's husband said he was going to flush them ALL down the toilet:eek: Please help. Thanks.
 
How big is your Oscar and how big is your lab? That would determine whether the lab is eaten in one bite or several I would think. I just don't think it could hold its own against even a small Oscar. You should be aware that I've never kept an Oscar.

Also pretty different water chemistry required - the opposite in each case.
 
Coler said:
How big is your Oscar and how big is your lab? That would determine whether the lab is eaten in one bite or several I would think. I just don't think it could hold its own against even a small Oscar. You should be aware that I've never kept an Oscar.

Also pretty different water chemistry required - the opposite in each case.
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The oscar is about 6 inches and the lab is about 3. I don't know much about cichlids but I don't want the little guy to be flushed down the toilet either:confused:
 
That's a credit to you - but you don't want it killed either.

Maybe some more experienced people will give you a steer - i'm new.
 
Coler said:
That's a credit to you - but you don't want it killed either.

Maybe some more experienced people will give you a steer - i'm new.
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Thanks anyway for trying:)
 
I don't see much chance for a 3" fish being dropped into a tank with a 6" oscar. He may not swallow it, but he'll try his hardest. Also there's the water chemistry issue. I would rescue it and put it in a bucket and bring it ot he nearest LFS, rather than see it flushed.
 
sploke said:
I don't see much chance for a 3" fish being dropped into a tank with a 6" oscar. He may not swallow it, but he'll try his hardest. Also there's the water chemistry issue. I would rescue it and put it in a bucket and bring it ot he nearest LFS, rather than see it flushed.
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That's the problem I called my lfs and they told me they would not take it:confused:
Would it make any difference if more plants and small caves that only the lab could fit into were to be put in the tank?
 
Might do in the short term - I just think the Oscar will get him sooner rather than later. And might move mountains to get to him.

They're both Cichlids, the tank isn't all that big considering the Oscar and when they have at each other I think the lab will come out a very poor second. Has the Oscar ever had smaller tank mates and did he not try and eat them ?

Also, the water you need for the lab is different (hard, alkaline) to the Oscar (soft, acidic).

But hey - you can always try. I just don't think you're going to find anyone here saying its a great idea/ideal mix is all.
 
Coler said:
Has the Oscar ever had smaller tank mates and did he not try and eat them ?


But hey - you can always try. I just don't think you're going to find anyone here saying its a great idea/ideal mix is all.
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Yes there was a jack dempsey in there with him for a while but hubby had him for a long time 8+ years and he died not too long ago. Oscar never bothered him.
We also had a peacock eel in there with him and they swam together.
 
Jack Dempsey = Different kettle of fishy aggression.

Labidochromis Careulus are amongs the mildest mannered of rift lake cichlids (note rift lake) and by the way prefer to be in groups. Mind you I have just one male in my mix and he does ok - but he's way down the pecking order in with just some Aulonucara & Acei.

JD's, I understand, are well able to look after themselves.
 
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