Oscar EBJD and Raphael

[Backfromthedead]

Ive gotta say as far as EBJD go yours looks pretty healthy, has a lot of potential. I would separate these fish. If you want the most out of the EBJD you'll want a stress free environment where you can establish a solid feeding regimen and superb water quality. The oscar will only complicate those goals and the two species together really add no valuable interaction or activity to your tank.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

This is just a warning and it may not happen but it's an interesting story anyway. In my opinion the Oscar may want the EBJD out of his territory and it will be a stressful and possibly short life for the EBJD. I'm not sure how much of your catfish you will see either. It may remain in hiding. Something you may not be aware of is that the catfish, which is nocturnal, may also terrorise your cichlids at night. I found that my EBJD did not seem to be able to defend itself against my catfish at night. I stayed up in the dark to confirm my suspicions and watched my EBJD pursued relentlessly by my Sailfin Plec. He was so afraid that he was trying to jump out of the tank and damaged himself repeatedly. Mine went from a highly regarded beauty celebrated on the EBJD website to a beat up mess before I intervened.

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Raphs don't do that. I can attest because I own one, and it is very peaceful, mostly minding its own business. It has never chased anything around (and it had prime opportunities to do so).

 

[Rainkaj]

Raphs don't do that. I can attest because I own one, and it is very peaceful, mostly minding its own business. It has never chased anything around (and it had prime opportunities to do so).

Mine either, hes kinda just like the lazy room mate in the tank. He'll eat some algae ill put in for him then whatever the O lets go by he'll vacuum up. He comes out a good bit during the day as well so its not often I won't see him (he loves basking at the top of the wood tree). For an overnight process the O puts much less chase to the Jack (maybe only a second or so) and the Jack likes to approach and attempt interactions. The O already shows tons of personality and is a really funny little guy so i think the Jack toying with him adds good energy. I only let the chasing slide since the O doesn't deal any damage but more just macho mans the Jack from where hes chilling. I've read others having these tank combos with 2 O and like 2-3 EBJD in a 125-200 so i figure just these three in a 100-125 would be secure keeping once they get used to each other. Neither are over a month old yet so they have so much more time to mature. If too much aggression is shown in a chase I'll separate them. I also heard the idea of another pleco? Im not sure if i want more in the tank but more cleaning doesn't sound bad either knowing they'll be moved to a bigger tank.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Plecos might be beneficial, and since you are getting a larger tank, I recommend a larger pleco. My Raph conveniently hides in plain sight (under a propped-up rock in the front), so I see him all day. Rarely does he hide in an area where I can't find him. He is lazy, tho...sometimes makes me wish I had that kind of chill xD.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Plecos might be beneficial, and since you are getting a larger tank, I recommend a larger pleco. My Raph conveniently hides in plain sight (under a propped-up rock in the front), so I see him all day. Rarely does he hide in an area where I can't find him. He is lazy, tho...sometimes makes me wish I had that kind of chill xD.

As stated by Redshark1 large plecos can be nocturnal terrors and really only add substantial bioload to the tank. They can be territorial and when hungry will go after other fishes slime coats in the night. I struggle to see how a pleco would be beneficial unless the keeper really wanted one. The only ones i know that are reliable algae cleaners are bristlenose.

I think an armored cat like raphael or other similar doradid would be a good option to house with the EBJD. They clean up leftovers and are even somewhat coprophagous ime. They keep to themselves and are only territorial concerning the dugout or small hole that they hang in.

 

[abominus]

i have kept oscars with raphs and had no problem at all

 

[Rainkaj]

As stated by Redshark1 large plecos can be nocturnal terrors and really only add substantial bioload to the tank. They can be territorial and when hungry will go after other fishes slime coats in the night. I struggle to see how a pleco would be beneficial unless the keeper really wanted one. The only ones i know that are reliable algae cleaners are bristlenose.

I think an armored cat like raphael or other similar doradid would be a good option to house with the EBJD. They clean up leftovers and are even somewhat coprophagous ime. They keep to themselves and are only territorial concerning the dugout or small hole that they hang in.

Would keeping two different species of doradid in a single tank cause problems? If the O and EBJD do end up separated I am probably going to keep Ralph with the O. They will sometimes cuddle up in the same rock while sleeping and the connection is so cute! In the best case I would love to keep the whole tank family together. But, in the case it doesn't work out, (assuming the EBJD will move to the 40 then back to the 55 once the O leaves, receiving between a 100-125g) what tank mates should i get for each of them? Also, if the O turns our male along with the EBJD, will this create more problems? Will different species even care about the other's gender? I've also read into dither fish for the tank to calm the EBJD more but idk how much more would be appropriate to put into the tank.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Would keeping two different species of doradid in a single tank cause problems? If the O and EBJD do end up separated I am probably going to keep Ralph with the O. They will sometimes cuddle up in the same rock while sleeping and the connection is so cute! In the best case I would love to keep the whole tank family together. But, in the case it doesn't work out, (assuming the EBJD will move to the 40 then back to the 55 once the O leaves, receiving between a 100-125g) what tank mates should i get for each of them? Also, if the O turns our male along with the EBJD, will this create more problems? Will different species even care about the other's gender? I've also read into dither fish for the tank to calm the EBJD more but idk how much more would be appropriate to put into the tank.

Thorny catfish may scuffle over hiding places, but this is normal behavior for them ime and you can help that by offering more cover and places to hide.

If it was my choice, i would consider a slightly larger variety of catfish to keep with the O. When that O gets big enough it may or may not view a 6-8" raphael cat as a meal. Thorny catfishes like doradids are not good meal choices however, as their many spines can get lodged and stuck in a cichlids mouth, maiming or potentially killing it. I believe the thorny catfishes evolved these traits specifically to combat predation from larger fish. If you are dead set on a thorny catfish i would look into something like rhinodoras dorbignyi or maybe even wertheimeria maculatus, though these species are far less commonly found than the raphael varieties, usually only found online. These species grow large and robust enough not to be considered prey by a large O imo.

Your fishes personalities will determine a lot of what you are asking about so i would just say keep watching them and making adjustments as needed. Always good to have your spare tanks up and running when youre keeping multiple cichlids to a tank.

 

[SilverArowanaBoi]

Would keeping two different species of doradid in a single tank cause problems? If the O and EBJD do end up separated I am probably going to keep Ralph with the O. They will sometimes cuddle up in the same rock while sleeping and the connection is so cute! In the best case I would love to keep the whole tank family together. But, in the case it doesn't work out, (assuming the EBJD will move to the 40 then back to the 55 once the O leaves, receiving between a 100-125g) what tank mates should i get for each of them? Also, if the O turns our male along with the EBJD, will this create more problems? Will different species even care about the other's gender? I've also read into dither fish for the tank to calm the EBJD more but idk how much more would be appropriate to put into the tank.

I don't think having more than one species of doradid in a single tank would cause problems. As others have said, provide many hiding places, and they should be fine. I doubt this will be a suitable option, and others will probably say no, but Irwin's Soldier cats are awesome doradids that are large and robust. But this beast will only be able to be kept in a very large tank.

 

[Rainkaj]

I found a 180g I am considering getting, If it falls through I may just get a 125 or something around there. When it does come, should I move the baby fish in once its established and ready for them, or allow them to continue to grow in the 55? If i do get the 180 i may separate the O and the EBJD, so Ideas for the bigger tank between 125-180g and O compatible would be great! Love the idea of having an aggressive pred tank knowing the EBJD may be out.