First off, what I have presently: a 2 1/2 inch oscar (Marlowe) temporarily residing in a 15 gallon high tank with a random HOB filter for 20 gall, plus a sponge filter (I forgot if it was for 10 or 20gal operation). He's supposed to be moved into a 40 gal breeder tank until I move (within a year) to get him his full tank. The 40 is currently stocked with 3 goldfish I got with the tank (on craigslist) that need to be moved to an outdoor pond (a month or so). 15 gal was cycled, and gets 50-70% WC almost weekly (perhaps every 10 days?) at this point.
So the plan, as detailed, is to get him living in the 40 gal for a few months, though if I end up not moving, I can find a way to get him a bigger tank in my room. It's the transporting of the tank that makes me hope I can wait until we're at the new house so it only has to be moved from the store directly to it's permanent spot once, ya know?
I have not decided what size tank to upgrade to exactly, only that I want a 90 to 125 or so, to keep Marlowe happy for a hopefully long life. It's a fuzzy decision because I am interested in getting him a buddy (or more?). I have heard convicts are good with oscars, but no one clarified which sex, or if more than one can be housed with an oscar (temperament permitting, of course), and thus, what size tank would be needed.
But then I also heard a pleco would be good, as he wouldn't always be in the same water column as Marlowe. I was suggested a para pleco, which from my online research, seems OK in care and needs. What size tank would I be looking at here?
And then (ha, I just keep rambling, don't I?) I see on here that a lot of other cichlids are recommended, but with what amounts and corresponding tank sizes would you suggest as options I could look into? For these possibilities, plus those above, at Marlowe's growth rate, is this do-able in a 40 until they move up to something bigger? I can be sure to do WCs weekly, and add on to the filters all ready used by the goldies if that's all it would take in the interim.
To finish up, I would assume from several stories that have been put on here, that oscars do best with fish they "grow up" with in comparison to tankmates added once they're adults. In addition to that, I was hoping to get said companion(s?) soon, so that I could quarantine the newcomer(s) for this month, and thus introduce them to the 40 at the same time, to minimize any territorial behavior in that neither would have all ready had the whole tank established as their own.
Any answers? Other suggestions, options, tips, etc? Thanks so much in advance!
So the plan, as detailed, is to get him living in the 40 gal for a few months, though if I end up not moving, I can find a way to get him a bigger tank in my room. It's the transporting of the tank that makes me hope I can wait until we're at the new house so it only has to be moved from the store directly to it's permanent spot once, ya know?
I have not decided what size tank to upgrade to exactly, only that I want a 90 to 125 or so, to keep Marlowe happy for a hopefully long life. It's a fuzzy decision because I am interested in getting him a buddy (or more?). I have heard convicts are good with oscars, but no one clarified which sex, or if more than one can be housed with an oscar (temperament permitting, of course), and thus, what size tank would be needed.
But then I also heard a pleco would be good, as he wouldn't always be in the same water column as Marlowe. I was suggested a para pleco, which from my online research, seems OK in care and needs. What size tank would I be looking at here?
And then (ha, I just keep rambling, don't I?) I see on here that a lot of other cichlids are recommended, but with what amounts and corresponding tank sizes would you suggest as options I could look into? For these possibilities, plus those above, at Marlowe's growth rate, is this do-able in a 40 until they move up to something bigger? I can be sure to do WCs weekly, and add on to the filters all ready used by the goldies if that's all it would take in the interim.
To finish up, I would assume from several stories that have been put on here, that oscars do best with fish they "grow up" with in comparison to tankmates added once they're adults. In addition to that, I was hoping to get said companion(s?) soon, so that I could quarantine the newcomer(s) for this month, and thus introduce them to the 40 at the same time, to minimize any territorial behavior in that neither would have all ready had the whole tank established as their own.
Any answers? Other suggestions, options, tips, etc? Thanks so much in advance!
