Oscar Tankmates?

[codomojump]

Hey guys,

I am new to the fish game but decided after getting a place of my own, it would be nice to have a couple roommates. I was browsing the selection of fish at Petco and came across this 2.5 inch Lemon Oscar. He was the only fish in his 10g tank and seemed super chill. Until he saw a small Tiger Oscar ome close to the side of his tank and darted right at it! I knew I had to get this fish. A buddy of mine gave me an old 10g tank he used for his snake and a UV/heat lamp combo. I bought all the necessary equipment I needed to keep Oscar de la Hoyfish healthy and happy. After I got him home, floated his bag on the top of the tank, and finally let him into his new home with a few minnows, he went from the bright lemon color he was in the store to a very dark grey (black almost). I fed him regularly after he devoured the minnows, but noticed he wouldn't eat all the pellets I put in for him. They started to get fuzzy and make the tank incredibly cloudy. I decided to clean the tank and throw in some water conditioner and clarifier and he immediately brightened up. However, the same thing is happening again.

I figured it's about time I get this guy a buddy. After doing some research on the interwebs, it looks like the guy primarily likes other cichlids, probably just because they can stand up for themselves. But I really wanted to get a pleco or scavenger to take care of the cloudy tank. It looks like the Raphael Catfish (scavenger) make good tankmates for the Oscar but it is recommended that I get one about the same size as my current Oscar. Even then, there's no guarantee he will not become fish food. After walking around my local fish and reptile store (NOT Petco), my choices were a 1" cat or 8". I ended up just getting a 1" Firemouth to keep him company until I figure out this situation. It has only been a day with the two together but Oscar seems to be just checking him out, nothing aggressive yet.

So Monsterfishkeepers, what tankmates do you recommend for my Oscar (and newly acquired Firemouth)? It would be great to have a Catfish around to keep the tank clean, but I wouldn't know where to get one that is Oscar's size. Any thoughts? Comments? Criticism? Wisdom? Fish Wizardry? All are absolutely appreciated.

 

[VRWC]

Welcome to MFK...Ill be blunt.

Did you cycle the tank prior to putting the oscar in it? If not or you dont know what I mean, go here and read this

http://www.oscarfishlover.com/how-to-cycle-a-tank

For starters, your tank is WAY too small for what size your oscar will be in the next 8 weeks or so. You need to either start looking for something larger to move him into with the end plan being a 75g to be happy and THRIVE for life, or go ahead and get a 75 gallon and be done with it. A 75g is what Id say is bare minimum for a full grown oscar alone...and they will grow an inch+ a month in ok conditions. Others will tell you a 55g is ok, but "ok" isnt the way I keep my pets, so my advice is based on what will make them thrive and be/stay healthy, not just "get by".

when feeding, only put in what he will eat within about 2 minutes. Remove any excess food. Stay away from guppies/minnows/ feeder fish unless you raise your own. A lot of them carry parasites and arent good for the oscar anyways.

The fuzziness on the food is just mold/fungus. Remove it.

On your tank, Id recommend doing 30% water changes 2x a week in that tank until you get him another.

Again, being blunt, if I were you Id take back the oscar and get something a little less susceptible to HITH (hole in the head disease) and a little more of a "beginner" fish, like convicts or firemouths. They can stay in that tank longer, dont grow as fast and are pretty indestructible when it comes to beginner mistakes.

Your tank will continue to get cloudy if you dont have enough filtration, arent doing enough water changes or are over feeding.

Id get a water parameters test kit and run tests on the water to see where your levels are and if the tank is even cycled.

Oscars arent an easy 1st fish if you have never kept any fish before and arent familiar with the absolute basics.

Good Luck with it.

 

[BlueKiller82]

The oscar will turn dark in color when stressed and probably sink to the bottom of the tank. Also as VRWC said you need to condition the water before adding fish to it. Usually one sets up the tank and lets the filter run on it for a week or so, or they have some filters that have been used on another tank that they put on the new tank to help speed up the process.

Again I have to agree with the above, get a 75 gallon or larger. If this is not possible I suggest returning the oscar and get a convict with some danios. A ten gallon is just way to small.

 

[HackJob]

Is it me or does it seem that there are a lot of new O owners finding their way here?

Just a casual observation.