I searched but didn't the answers to a couple questions I have. I have a 75 gallon FW setup with several fish including two Senegal Bichirs both 6-8", one convict about 4 inches and two suncats both about 8 inches. I am not worried about the Oscar but worried about the others. Would they be compatible? If I get an Oscar it will be a juvenile if that matters. Second question, are they ok alone or do they do better in pairs? I want the Oscar(s) to be as happy as possible and I know a 75g tank isn't enough for two of them, especially with the above tank mates. I do however plan on upgrading but that would not likely happen until next year after our house addition is complete. And one more question, do the colors and markings stay as the fish gets older? Just wondering if I find a youngster that has great markings and coloration if they could or would change as the fish got older. Thanks and sorry for the basic newb questions.
Couple Oscar questions
- Thread starter Nubster
- Start date
Well, after some more searching it seems that polys and O's can and often do work together with the biggest issue being food competition. I am not too worried about that because I can hand feed both bichirs to make sure they are getting their fill. Other than that I guess it would just be an individual personality issue.
Hi! I'm new to MFK, so I hope I'm doing this right! I have four Oscars who are between 10 and 13 inches. I got my two albinos (actually lutinos, their eyes aren't pink) and my albino red when they were about four inches. Their color and markings have stayed the same as they grew. As for tankmates, the Oscars each have their own 55 gallon tank. One lives with a 13 inch pleco - they swim together and sit on each other! One lives with a huge albino frog - they also get along fine. One lives with three small tinfoil barbs and a small Jupari cichlid - they're all doing well. (I had a four inch Black Belt in with them, but he beat up the Jupari, so now he's in the "time out" tank by himself)
The last and biggest Oscar lives with two medium sized tinfoil barbs. I just got a beautiful pink true Gourami, 14 inches - she lives with them for the time being. I'm trying to decide whether to try her with a different Oscar (I started her in the oscar/pleco tank - that oscar wasn't having any of that!) or leave her where she is for now. The Oscar isn't impressed - he's been shoving her, but no damage. I think I need to win more at Bingo and buy her her own tank! Personality definately counts!
Actually the convict is pretty tame. I had two but one died a couple years ago. I have gad this one for several years with all the current tank occupants. Doesn't bother anyone in the tank but a new addition might be a different story. I am going to tear the tank down soon and do a good cleanup and new substrate so maybe that would be the best time to introduce the new O if I decide to get one.
bichirboy;1672291; said:
Once your oscar gets big enough he will have about half of his food slip through his gills and your smaller fish will be eating mostly that. Oscars are very messy.
bichirboy;1673507; said:
If the tank is in use you would be wise to maybe keep some of the bacteria to help your cycle process.