what CANT be put with an oscar?

[Jennifer]

Other than the obvious fish that fit in their mouths, are there any specific breeds/species of fish that should definitely not be put in a tank with one?

 

[Orion]

Depends a lot on how big a tank it will be in.

 

[Pure]

Like Orion said, also you generally do not want to mix large aggressive cichlids with Oscars. Oscars are really not that aggressive and will get pummeled by fish like red devils or green terrors.

 

[Jennifer]

Yeah, I don't really want a tank full of cichlids... I just saw a cute little oscar at a small LFS that has been there for a few weeks. Everytime I go back he is still there looking bored out of his tree! lol. I have always wanted an oscar but previously couldn't get a tank large enough....now i have inquired about several tanks (between 55-65 gallons) and may be able to get one of them.

So the size tank I will end up getting will likely not be big enough for two oscars or an oscar and other huge fish...but would there be a smaller fish that would get along, keep him company, without getting eaten?

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

[Pure]

bout the only thing I can think of that wouldn't get in his way in a 55 woud be a nice sized pleco. The common ones get to large, and a BN would be too small. You would need one of the ones that top out around 8 inches.

 

[Orion]

In the oscars defence, they do make interesting pets as the only fish in the tank. They learn who's new in the house, who to beg for food (if not every person they see) and are very intellegent. When we had ours, if someone came in that he/she didn't know it would hide behind a rock untill they left. Crazy guys.

 

[Jennifer]

Yes, I really want one! I have heard so many great stories about them. So they don't get lonely/bored in a tank by themselves? I don't know how you'd tell....but that is what I was worried about.

What is the minium tank size for a single Oscar? On the profiles page it says 75G, in one of the books I have it says 55 gallon and the LFS says 35! I was trying to get a 55+ tank but I just found a guy selling a 35 (with flouscent canopy, stand, filter, heater, etc...) for $10! That seems a little small for an oscar but if so I might just get it anyway and put other fish in it. What do you think?

 

[Pure]

Yes that is too small for an Oscar. Honestly I cringed when you said you wanted to put on in a 55...But that's just me, a 75 would be much better. A 55 is bare minimum.

 

[Jennifer]

yeah I thought so...Its too selfish to want an oscar and stick it in a small tank. I'll hold off until I can get a 75, thats really what I want but they are hard to find used. If I can get that other tank (the 35) I will anyway because $10 is practically free so why not.

Thanks for your help.

 

[FishGeek]

Im not reccomending this unless you are positive on getting a bigger tank when its needed, but if he is a tiny one then you can TEMPERARILY put him in a smaller tank. You just need to be able to supply the bigger tank when its needed.

 

[Orion]

I really dislike standard 55 gallon tanks. IMO they are just about to narrow to do much of anything with. A standard 55 gallon tank is 13 inches wide, and on average an oscar will get at least 12 inches, so that doesn't give it much space to turn around. I've got a standard 75 gallon tank, it is the same length and height as a 55, but it is 18 inches wide instead of 13. That makes a HUGE difference. Plus you can decorate it more.

guppy has a good point. However I don't like to do this, because we all have good plans sometimes, but more often than not things get in the way, something more important may come up that you need the money for, and the oscar gets pushed to the side. Not saying that you will do this, but I think it's worth thinking about. They grow quick, and I've seen several that can almost top a foot within a year.

 

[Jennifer]

I do find the shape of the 55 gallon awkward...they are so tall but not very long/wide. They are so popular though which makes it easy to buy used. I think I just got all excited because I found a few websites where people are selling tanks super cheap. I suppose if I wait a while, save some more money to increase my budget, I'll find the perfect tank (I did see a nice 90 gallon with an oak stand and all the accessories for $150...I would have bought that right away if I had the cash).

After seeing all these cheap larger tanks I remembered how much I wanted an oscar! But this completely strayed me from why i was looking for tanks in the first place....I wanted to get a cheap second small tank (10-20G) for my sunset Gourami, he is getting picked on by my other gourami and cockatoo cichilds so I thought I would give him his own tank, with a small school of neons or something (I have too many neons in my other tank anyway, they get in the way of the larger fish). So back on track, I will go get a small tank tomorrow and just keep an eye out for a nice big tank for my future baby oscar ;-) lol....

Jennifer