CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi all,
I'm about to set up a new tank after raising Rainbows and large Gouramies.  Have a 440 Litre tank and am looking to house an Oscar.  Her lies the dilemma, I have heard conflicting stories that (a) it is not right to keep an Oscar without a mate (b) You cannot keep 2 Oscars inthe same tank if less than a swimming pool.

My initial idea was to get a sinle Oscar, perhaps a pair of Blue Acaras and a pair, maybe 4 firemouths (plus Plec).  The idea being that the Oscar would keep the others in line.  Keep kim on his own, but entertained.

Any thoughts ??

Hi, Alta, and Welcome to the forum!  As I read it, your question is multi-part, so I'll try to answer it that way.  First of all, I'm here in the USA, and not used to thinking in litres, but my rough conversion tells me you're talking about a five or six foot tank.  Nice way to start!  The chief question first:  Yes, you can keep more than one Oscar in a tank without precipitating hostilities.  Oscars are fairly gregarious fish, and USUALLY will get along with each other fairly well, especially if introduced at a young age.  There are a couple of caveats:  1.  They seem to do best in pairs or in group situations where they can form pairs.  2.  Individuals can vary in temperament and preferences, so in almost any phase of keeping them your experience may be different than someone else's. 

Second question (other fish):  It's good that you're planning ahead, but in my experience that size tank with a pair of Oscars might support another pair of large cichlids, and it might not.  I have no experience with Acaras, so I can't speak to that choice.  A pair of Firemouths might work, though the O's will quickly outgrow them.  Be sure you arrange your tank to provide territories for both pairs, with some hiding places for the Firemouths.  Oscars like to cruise, so the Firemouths will have to learn to deal with the O's lack of respect for boundaries.  I definitely would not have both the Acaras and the Firemouths in that size tank with a pair of Oscars.  Trouble in River City for sure...

Good luck with your fish.  Keep us posted on your progress!

I had two oscars a male and a female and they got along great but after the female died  my male has been depressed so im thinking about getting him a new freind.

Final decision made (tank is about 120 US Gallons), went with a single Oscar, single Blue Acara, pair of Firemouths and a pair of Pim Pictus, all fish being around 2.5 inches.  Will get a pleco next week when their is a bit of algae for him.  Read others peoples posts about new oscars to tanks and was ready not to panic.  But, he seems to love the tank, displayed a wonderful array of colours on his first day and has gotten better since (as have the other cichlids) and has had no problems eating either.  All fish have been swimming together now after a minor tiff (almost in order of hierarchy, playing follow the leader) although the Oscar prefers to be up above and commands that area, with the Acara commanding the floor area. Only had them a couple of days but love their characters to bits.

This sounds like a very good mix to me, well done! Because of your Oscar's messy eating habits, though, I think you can go ahead and get your Pl*co before algae builds up. They like to poke around in the gravel for food, too. In my experience, Pictus (because they are so hyper) seem to irritate Oscars, but I only tried it once, so your mileage may vary. Good choice on tank size, and welcome to the forums!  --Mark

hello that is not true you can have as many oscars as you want as long as your tank is big enough 1 oscars 55 gal 2 should be in about a 75 or greater tank good luck

2 weeks in and all seems well, the O had a chunk out of a fin one morning and refused to eat, whilst the Acara was hiding away and also not eating, however a couple of days later all were eating OK and the damage has healed. During that period I noticed the amount of uneaten food that I was having to vac up so added my pair of pink kissers from another tank, now there is hardly any leftovers if any at all.  Their addition also seemed to pick up the Oscar who spent most of the first 2 days swimming around with 1 kisser in particular.

The 2 Firemouths appear to have paired off and are building nests together, although one lays eggs the other eats them.  They came out together to see off one of the kissers the other day and Oscar came dashing down from the bit of plant he was examining to chase them off.  The following stand-off that ensued was very brief and saw him put his mouth over the mouth of the most aggressive firemouth and that ended the confrontation there and then, with the firemouths retreating to their nest.

Since then they chase off all comers from their immediate nest area but keep out of O's way.

So, so far I seem to have managed to get the happy medium I was after with a pecking order, Oscar,Acara & then FM but with having the pair of firemouths they are strong enough together to prevent themselves being rolled over by the other 2. However, they are all only about 3 - 3.5 inches at the moment so the real test will come in a few months time.

PS went for a Gibby plec who has also told the Acara where to go when it looked like he was being eyed up as a snack.

Well done!  Good Luck, and keep us posted!