General Oscar Questions

[ryanoh]

Hey MFK,

I have a 90 gallon tank that's soon to be empty after I shuffle around some of my Tang cichlids, and I'm seriously looking into getting an Oscar or two. This is a standard shape 90 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump, and I'm in the works of putting a continuous drip water change system on it.

I've read a little, and seem to be finding a lot of conflicting info. I've read oscars need a companion, and also that some like to be alone. I realize this is probably on a fish to fish basis, but the consensus seems to be that if you get two when they're young and have them grow up together, they'll probably be fine.

As for tank mates, two I'm looking at are a largish (but probably not the common variety of) pleco, and some sort of eel. I've seen a lot of people say fire eel, but it seems like they might get a little large for my tank.
Also from what I've read, and as well as experience with other aggressive cichlids, I'd want to add the more peaceful tanks mates before the oscars so I'm not introducing something into an established territory. That means I want to purchase my pleco and eel (if those are viable tank mates) before I start shopping around for my oscar(s).

Thoughts or suggestions or advice or concerns? Thanks in advance!

 

[strollo22]

People are going to say don't put an Oscar in a 90 for life but it is the minimum tank size for them and I don't see an issue with it. An upgrade a year or 2 down the line would be best but it certainly wouldn't be the worst case scenario. I would stick with one Oscar in that size tank because aggression and size will be an issue without insufficient territories to claim. I would avoid putting a Pleco of any kind since they are poop machines and you will already have quite the bio load with just one Oscar in the tank. You can do it, you will just need to do frequent water changes to clean up the mess. I'm not an eel person so I won't give any input on that

 

[ryanoh]

I do about a 25% water change every week as it is, so I wouldn't be too put out by having to do a little more for the pleco. And like I said, I'm in the planning stages of doing a drip system in the near-ish future, so it eventually wouldn't be much of an issue. If I do rule out a pleco though, what other tank mates could you think of? I think one of the reasons I've never had a set up with an oscar before is because I don't want to end up with a tank with just one fish in it, but I understand that because of the size of the oscar that might be what happens.

 

[flowerhornfishman]

i think pleco wouldnt be a problem though. my cousin bought two oscar back then and put it in his 90 as well. while the other one grows faster than the other one, the bigger one ate the little one up. so, tht's why more than one oscar needs more than a 90. O.O now, his oscar's about 5" with a couple of albino plecos still in one piece. i think u just need to put some hiding places for it.
fyi, my oscar is now with a few 4" koi(which ill be moving when they get bigger)and also a pleco, and he doesnt bothers them. but yeah, it chased them at first, but now, they always touching each other with no harm at all. but im still concerned as if my oscar is still small and probably havent build a territory yet. i always be ready though.
soo, yeah, an oscar with some plecos can be done with some driftwoods for it to hide. but always monitor them just to make sure. some oscars are highly aggressive.
good luck !

 

[Reaper13]

Your good for life with a 90g and an oscar. I'd stay away from a pleco though or get a smaller one.

Tank mate wise try one of these: male convict, firemouth, severum, & if you want a catfish try a featherfin they look great.

Up the waterchange percentage though to something in 75% with an O & tankmate. More fresh water you give the better.