new to cichlids

[tankbusterlover]

Hi,

I am mostly into freshwater shark and marine sharks. I was looking to maybe own a owner responsive fish for a change that follow you when you walk towards the tank and is curious.

Not just a passive fish like a bala shark. So my small tank is 48" long by 18" deep and 20" high. I think it's a 72 gallon.

I was looking into either a oscar or a red devil. I would just put a red devil on his own probably with no tank mate. Accordin to what i've read Red Devil can get close to 18" themself. I saw an albino osacar in a pet store not long ago and i beleive it was a good 12" if not more. It was almost filling a 72 gallon with no much space to swim. So maybe my tank is rather small to put one of those fish in it.

I was just wanting to hear stories of people who kept those fish and tell me how owner responsive was or is your oscar or red devil. I maybe would not mind a red tailed giant gouramis but that is another species.

 

[santoury]

I have had many of the big cichlids, if not most of them. Nothing touches an Oscar in the regard you're describing.

A red devil / Midas is extremely owner responsive, too, but it's mostly more out of trying to put you in place on the pecking order. An oscar is, in my experience, more of a "buddy" I have had many and your tank sounds just about right.

That albino was fully grown, and I highly doubt a red devil/Midas would reach anywhere near 18 inches. Both fish get about the same size, but the Devil/Midas is a little taller.

 

[tankbusterlover]

thanks for the info. My parents did not want me to keep an oscar because they splash water everywhere when they turn out the light. That is because they tried to keep two of them into a 20 gallon tank. Way too small for them

 

[ammerman19]

That is because they tried to keep two of them into a 20 gallon tank. Way too small for them

lol. they are both owner responsive. Most large American cichlids are. I would agree with Santoury that O's just seem to have more of a buddy feel to 'em whereas a RD would just be trying to kick your ass through the glass. Both are good fish, just pick if you want more attitude or the more puppy dog "feed me" look of the Oscar. That is actually the best way I can describe O's he'll just swim around and follow you with this PLLLEEEAAASSSEEE gimme food look on his face.

If you want something that IMO looks better you could go with a Trimac or green terror. They would both work well in that size tank also.

 

[brettonstein]

I had 4 oscars couple jack dempeys and a big channel cat in my 75 n they were great no constant war nothing a 72 gallon with just one fish is a waste theirs a way to get them not to splash when u turn the light off just dont fill the tank all the way to the top

 

[bigriver]

an oscar is a very good owner responsive fish.you can hand feed oscars,even pet them like my 13inch sparkie,he also likes toys in his tank to play with.

 

[chicago_animal]

I love how they will lay on their side when they are bored. When I first saw him doing that I Wasso scared that he was hurt or dying...BASTARD! lol