Questions from a less experienced fish keeper

[ncoreson]

I'm not a regular poster so I don't know if this is the right place to put this.

I Currently have an 80 gallon tank with 2 Tigar Oscars. They are growing up and about 11 inches each. My wife just gave me the green light to get a bigger tank. She said as long as it was reasonable. I figured 500 gallons was reasonable she said maybe more like 120.

What I would like to do is move my oscars to the 120 and grow out a couple of bichirs in the 80 until they are ready for the 120. Then turn my 80 into something else.

All that being said... I am pretty confident with the oscars I have raised them before ,although usually only with other oscars., I have never owned a bichir before. I am doing lots of research and getting more and more confused as I go. Looks like there are a lot of breeds of bichir out there.

My questions are. Would this plan work? Would bichir and oscars work as tank mates? would 120 gallons be big enough to pull this off? If so what species of bichir could I do it with and how many should I get? Shoot if it all works what should I put in the 80 gallon tank when i'm done?

I really want to make sure i'm not the guy with too many fish in a too crowded tank. I really want to do this right. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kno4te]

It should work. Would get a large polypterus lapradei. They are commonly brought in and at large sizes. But any of the larger upper jaws, ornate and teugelsi would be an option.

Would avoid congicus, pbb, ansorgii, and endli as they will get bigger and need more than a 120g.

 

[esoxlucius]

"I figured 500 gallons was reasonable she said maybe more like 120".

How many of us have had this little gem of a conversation with the wife?

 

[BichirKing]

120g at 6' long is the same length as a 180g. go for the 180! you can easily keep Oscars with bichirs as kno4te said.

 

[bbortko]

"I figured 500 gallons was reasonable she said maybe more like 120".

How many of us have had this little gem of a conversation with the wife?

I throw it out there every time she mentions too many tanks that I would go down to 1 if I can upgrade my 240g

 

[ncoreson]

Thank you for the advice. I'm looking for a deal on something used because I don't want to pay full price for a tank. I'm thinking if I can find a 180 that would be best.... I may be able to convince the wife a 250 is ok.... if i can find one for the right price.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Also, chances are she doesn't know the difference between a 120 and 180, or 180 and 250 Could snag a 250 and call it a 120 hah

 

[tlindsey]

Also, chances are she doesn't know the difference between a 120 and 180, or 180 and 250 Could snag a 250 and call it a 120 hah

lol

 

[punman]

Reminds me of when I wanted a 180 gallon tank. I think I had a couple of much smaller tanks at the time. I did a cardboard cut out of the footprint and put it on the floor so she could see the space it would take in the living room. She gave me the go ahead but when the tank and stand arrived and she saw how massive it was compared to the 2-D cardboard, she had buyer regret - regret that she let me be a buyer. Luckily for me, by then it was too late to say no!

 

[skjl47]

Hello; You may have already figured this part out but I will ask anyway. Have you calculated the weight of such a big tank and considered the capacity of the floor to hold such a weight?
If you own the house then ignore this next question. Is the tank is to be kept in a spot on carpet, on wood floors, above other apartments or where 120 gallons of water can do a lot of damage? If you rent may I suggest renters insurance with clearly written clause about aquariums.