Festivum with oscar?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
F

fishunter

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 1, 2008
21
0
0
Australia
Hey all
I saw this Festivum in the aquarium store near me and was wondering if anyone would know how it would go with my current tanks mates 1 oscar and 1 brasilliensis? The tank is 55gal and both fish are between the 5-6inch mark and the festivum would be around the same. Im upgrading at christmas to a 6 foot but im more interested for now if my current stock would give the festivum a hard time.
Any help would be great!
Cheers fishunter....
 
I'm not saying it is a good idea, but I have a 4" severum with some more aggressive cichlids in my 125 without any serious issues...keep in mind the tankmates are not particularly aggressive species (dempsey, polleni, convict)
 
It's a combo I've kept in the past, and it worked. It really depends on how aggressive your oscar is (and brasiliensis, which I haven't kept but have an aggressive reputation). In my experience the festivum actually harassed the O until there was a decent size difference in the O's favor. Festivums have a peaceful rep but mine have generally held their own with other moderately aggressive fish (I wouldn't try them with overly aggressive cichlids). I'd try it, but be prepared if it doesn't work out.
 
Just to clarify my oscar is practically a big sook he made friends with one of the feeders i gave him! The brasiliensis now resides in my friends 6 foot oscar tank so its just the oscar by himself for the time being.
 
My two groups of wild festivums (M. festivus and M. acora) have been pretty aggressive. They don't actively seek out my other fish, but I have watched them attack adult discus, angels, uaru, and severums when they venture too close. Festivums can be quite territorial. A lot of people claim they're very peaceful fish, but maybe this has to do with the number of festivums per tank? I always keep mine in groups of six. Maybe they feel more outgoing in numbers.

At any rate, I think if it's a larger festivum that it has a good chance of working out. If your Oscar is shy or passive it definitely stands a better chance than if the Oscar were territorial/aggressive.
 
^ This has been my observation with them as well, though I'm not sure which species I have honestly. I have 2 currently, both appear to be male, and they're definitely territorial...they're very scrappy with each other, and they chase the group of jurupari they're kept with, though it's only short bursts with no nipping or harm done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom