CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hello this is my first post and wonder if you could help?  I have been keeping fish for 15 years and am not an expert but know enough.  I have a 125 gallon tank that has been running for 7 years.  For the last 2 weeks there has only been a Raphael Cat in the tank.  I recently added 2 tiger oscars and one seems to be doing fine the other has been laying on the bottom for about a day.  I have looked at other post and it says this is normal.  I have never had Oscars before because the tank has been a non-aggressive setup (Severums, Silver Dollars, Blue Acaras, Tinfoil Bards, Red tail Barbs, etc.....).  Just wondering if this is normal or is there something I can do to help the little guy survive?

Hi LargemouthAnthony, and WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!! Oscars, when presented with new surroundings, new tankmates, new decorations, new . . .anything . . . may lay down on the gravel, hide, not eat, etc. What you're seeing is absolutely normal Oscar behaviour. Expect this to last for around two weeks, give or take. After they are used to their surroundings and used to you, then expect them to change your perception of fishkeeping! They are personable, affectionate animals that know their Humans and act, as many people will tell you, just like puppy dogs. As they get larger, they will become messy eating, large Cichlids and so they need an aggressive routine of weekly water changes and aquarium maintenance. Congratulations on your new pets, and, again, welcome to the forums!  --Mark

Thanks Mark for your info.  Have not had any other freshwater fish act like this to the point where they look really stressed.  Strike that from the record, I have had Clown Loaches who have done the same thing.  Thanks, Anthony

Hi Anthony, nice to meet you, looking at your 3 posts together, I agree with Mark completely.  I have a single O in a 180g as part of a community, he shares his abode with a number of smaller fish which he grew up with (with the exception of the rainbows added lately), these will follow him around come feeding time and eat the bits he spills.  So if you fancy a few other fish a may be worthwhile looking at mid level dwellers that will clean up (my O also occasionally shoals with the rainbows - believe it or not)

Thanks for the input altaaffe, but still not quite sure what would be an ideal tank mate for my 2 tiger oscars.  Are you suggesting putting rainbows with them?  Also for an update on thier status-one has been seen hiding under a piece of driftwood and looks fine.  The other is not yet to be found.  Will a Raphel Cat eat an oscar?

It could depend on how mean they were, but the body shape of a rainbow is not suited to being 'grabbed' by an Oscar and they themselves have enough speed to get away.  My tank (180g) only has a single O (along with an Acara & 2 Firemouths) with the rainbows being a mix of Boesmani, Axelrodi & Lacustris.  Occasionally when Murph is in a mood he will chase them away but there is plenty of room and they are too quick for him.  There is also the theory behind overstocking Malawis as well, numerous other fish (within the bioload) lessens the hassle that any individual fish will receive if any is given out, but I do have a generally peaceful tank (and the smaller cichlids enjoy the spwaning efforts of the Rainbows - eggs for breakfast!)

Anything that is fatter and will not fit into an Oscar's mouth is a good tankmate. Don't put any fish that are long and narrow because they will be swallowed up. Watch on the size since of the tankmates since Oscar's get very big.

I just bought a 150 gallon and I am going to put Silver Dollars in with them. I really like them, they're beautiful.