Mixing species

[Alan Russell]

How can I figure out if species are compatible? For example, can I put angelfish with oscars?
I plan to buy a used tank tomorrow and it comes with fish. I have been looking for a deal on this specific tank to upgrade to. Once upgraded I was planning on transferring 2 angelfish and 2 kissing gouramis once they out grew my 75g in which I will keep fish a max of 4". Here's my dilemma. While patiently waiting for the perfect deal to come along on a 125-150, I found a 125g w/ matching stand, filters, heaters, lights, decor, the whole 9. The problem is, (kinda good problem to have) it's also stocked. I have to take the fish with the tank. It comes with 2 pacus, 2 oscars, 1 algae, and 1 catfish (not sure yet what type of algae or cat). The pacus are pretty big, I'm told about 8". Can I add my angelfish and kissing gouramis with those?

 

[AMG]

Oscars tend to do well with any fish that is either equal or less aggressive than themselves, and isn't small enough to eat.

I would get rid of the 2 Pacu though, they grow far too large.

 

[Alan Russell]

Oscars tend to do well with any fish that is either equal or less aggressive than themselves, and isn't small enough to eat.

I would get rid of the 2 Pacu though, they grow far too large.

Yeah, I looked them up on Wikipedia. I just skimmed the article and never saw actual measurements they can reach, but they have a picture of a guy holding one up the appears to be nearly as big as him. So i am already devising a back up plan. I am hoping since they are large in comparison to the size that they are sold in lfs that maybe they would buy them. If that fails then I'll try and donate them. If that don't work i don't know what I will do.

Incidentally, why are pacus so common in lfs? I have never seen anybody with a personal aquarium bigger than a 125 until I found MFK.

 

[Fish Eat Fish]

Yeah, I looked them up on Wikipedia. I just skimmed the article and never saw actual measurements they can reach, but they have a picture of a guy holding one up the appears to be nearly as big as him. So i am already devising a back up plan. I am hoping since they are large in comparison to the size that they are sold in lfs that maybe they would buy them. If that fails then I'll try and donate them. If that don't work i don't know what I will do.

Incidentally, why are pacus so common in lfs? I have never seen anybody with a personal aquarium bigger than a 125 until I found MFK.

because most LFS dont care about fish or the people who buy them. They just want your money.

A place around me sells them as "vegetarian piranha" now thats messed up

 

[K626]

How can I figure out if species are compatible? For example, can I put angelfish with oscars?
I plan to buy a used tank tomorrow and it comes with fish. I have been looking for a deal on this specific tank to upgrade to. Once upgraded I was planning on transferring 2 angelfish and 2 kissing gouramis once they out grew my 75g in which I will keep fish a max of 4". Here's my dilemma. While patiently waiting for the perfect deal to come along on a 125-150, I found a 125g w/ matching stand, filters, heaters, lights, decor, the whole 9. The problem is, (kinda good problem to have) it's also stocked. I have to take the fish with the tank. It comes with 2 pacus, 2 oscars, 1 algae, and 1 catfish (not sure yet what type of algae or cat). The pacus are pretty big, I'm told about 8". Can I add my angelfish and kissing gouramis with those?

Honestly, the angels would get beat to crap. Depending on how big your gouramis are, they might be ok. You just want to make sure that they are bigger than those oscars and you add the oscars last. Get rid of those pacu unless you are planning a pond upgrade soon. They get big, super big, and FAST!

 

[K626]

Yeah, I looked them up on Wikipedia. I just skimmed the article and never saw actual measurements they can reach, but they have a picture of a guy holding one up the appears to be nearly as big as him. So i am already devising a back up plan. I am hoping since they are large in comparison to the size that they are sold in lfs that maybe they would buy them. If that fails then I'll try and donate them. If that don't work i don't know what I will do.

Incidentally, why are pacus so common in lfs? I have never seen anybody with a personal aquarium bigger than a 125 until I found MFK.

Because they look like a pirhana and people think they're cool. The lfs says "oh sure they'll be fine in a 55" just to sell them. If your pacu are big enough, they taste really good! I ate one out of a lake by my house and boy it was amazing, just like tilapia.

 

[Alan Russell]

If your pacu are big enough, they taste really good! I ate one out of a lake by my house and boy it was amazing, just like tilapia.

I used to catch fish and eat them no problem, and I never minded cleaning them. But, to catch fish, bring them home, and prep them for the pan is on thing. To reach into a tank where there are fish that I consider pets and throw it down on a cutting board. I'm not sure about that.

 

[Alan Russell]

Once I have no pacus, can I add a peacock bass With those fish I mentioned?

 

[bluekrissyspikes]

i don't thik i would try mixing a bunch of stuff in with the oscars. they aren't really a community fish. i don't think the angel or gouramis will last long in there with the oscars. just my 2 cents though. i wouldn't risk it. it all depends on the specimen, i suppose but keep in mind that even if they seem to be ok at first the oscar may at any time decide to take the others down.

 

[Alan Russell]

i don't thik i would try mixing a bunch of stuff in with the oscars. they aren't really a community fish. i don't think the angel or gouramis will last long in there with the oscars. just my 2 cents though. i wouldn't risk it. it all depends on the specimen, i suppose but keep in mind that even if they seem to be ok at first the oscar may at any time decide to take the others down.

'

This is what I have always heard. That Oscars are very territorial and can't be mixed. Since surfing various forums, I have seen pictures of oscars with tank mates. I like oscars and was hoping I had heard wrong b/c I like community tank with various specimens to observe. I think maybe I will sell the oscars too.