Can I keep a tiny oscar with breeding adults ?

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nishant_datta

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 16, 2006
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New Delhi, India
I have three 8-9 inch tiger oscars in my 180 gal, which have just reached maturity and the two bigger ones have formed a pair. They've even dug a nest. The male of the pair fiercely defends the nest from the third smaller male. So can I introduce in this mix a juvi 2 inch tiger oscar.

I recently traded in my 12 inch pacus with my LFS and in the deal got 4 juvis.
One of them has fallen behind and gets beaten up. I am thinking of putting him in a separate grow out tank. Its this one that I am curious about introducing with the grown ups. Just curious, has any one tried it... don't want it to be a feeder... Here are pics for size comparison...

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seems risky, might not be eaten but he might get:owned:
 
I guess then there's just one way to find out. I think this will also test the maternal instincts of the Os. I hadAfrican cichlids like Auratus, mabunas and labs which protected younger, much smaller fish of the same species after reaching maturity and breeding stage.Lets see what oscars do...
 
I say no way, it will definetly get killed....even with non-breeding pairs, it isn't a good thing to have three oscars in one tank because they will pair up and then pick on the third one........the little guy will definetly get killed.......
 
Sure it will work as long as you use a tank divider. Just make your own from egg crate, it's cheap you can get it at home depot. Also will be useful if you do have a breeding pair.
 
Thanks, I have put the little guy in... the odd male seemed to go after it but big daddy came to the rescue.. right now its hiding deep inside the log... I'll post the link of the video.. but frst I must take him out..
 
One thing's for sure.... that it can't work for long and I guess even a pair's own young are better separate from the parents after a while..
 
I wouldn't keep any fish with an oscar that isn't of similar size.
 
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