Oscar....

[ChilliPepper]

OK, I've been mulling over ideas about what to do about my tank situation for a while, and went to the LFS yesterday. They had in the most beautiful little juvi Oscars I've seen So I went and bought one I know, I know - they get BIG and they will eat the rest of my stock when their mouth gets big enough... However... I have plans

I am getting a 300/400L in a few months when we move. The oscar and GT will go in there,but are in my 190L for now. I am going to get a 100-120L for the rest of my fish. I am moving my shrimps today

My little tiger oscar seems pretty happy in his new tank, of course he is interested in my plants These will be moved into my betta's tank as they will be destroyed soon enough with his attentions. He and my GT have worked out a mutual respect thing where they just look at each other and swim on by, everyone else is curious but not disturbed.

I bought him from a tank full of other juvi oscars who were all very alert and happy, they were interested in the possibility that I'd feed them and he had a Hikari pellet last night when I put a little food in. I am encouraged that he is happy to eat as I know they can be prone to sulking and may not eat when you first get them.

I have read that a lot of people have successfully kept oscars and GTs together - we will see how I get on. I am also considering some kind of birchir to go in the larger tank with them eventually, and some silver dollars.

I love his little personality - he is so happy and alert and very nosey

So... I am thinking of gravel, rocks and wood for the bigger tank eventually, along with some silk plants. Any other ideas welcome, but no comments about my current situation, I am well aware my current tank/stock is not suitable for him longterm, but I am definitely getting a larger tank soon. I knew if I waited I wouldn't find another such beautiful O.

I took some pics last night, will post them tomorrow.

 

[indigoj]

Just how soon are you getting the bigger tank as 190l will not do for 'a few months' if that means 3 months +.

 

[ChilliPepper]

About 2 months, though I will be moving the other fish sooner...He's a real baby, only an inch long, not including his tail.

 

[minxfishy]

Assuming the O is approx 2" at present, I agree with Indigoj, they grow 1"+ monthly, so in 3 months, your looking at a 5"+ Oscar, my last Oscar ate anything smaller than her by 3", which included 5" rainbow's!! So you will need to upgrade asap.

In theory Oscars and GT's can get along in a large enough tank, the GT that I had (rehomed due to aggression) shredded my Oscar's fins (who was larger than the GT) and whilst I have no proof, caused his death by constant harrassment which caused the Oscars death pretty rapidly (within 12 hrs). Whilst I know your GT is pretty placid, its just a warning. If you do want to consider keeping the two of them together, nothing smaller than a 5ft 400L will do, the 300L would be sufficient for the Oscar ALONE, not for the both of them.

Yes get the shrimp out quickly, Id also advise you remove the rest asap, they will soon become food, particularly the kulli loaches. The barbs and tetras wont last long either with a 5" Oscar.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Assuming the O is approx 2" at present, I agree with Indigoj, they grow 1"+ monthly, so in 3 months, your looking at a 5"+ Oscar, my last Oscar ate anything smaller than her by 3", which included 5" rainbow's!! So you will need to upgrade asap.

In theory Oscars and GT's can get along in a large enough tank, the GT that I had (rehomed due to aggression) shredded my Oscar's fins (who was larger than the GT) and whilst I have no proof, caused his death by constant harrassment which caused the Oscars death pretty rapidly (within 12 hrs). Whilst I know your GT is pretty placid, its just a warning. If you do want to consider keeping the two of them together, nothing smaller than a 5ft 400L will do, the 300L would be sufficient for the Oscar ALONE, not for the both of them.

Yes get the shrimp out quickly, Id also advise you remove the rest asap, they will soon become food, particularly the kulli loaches. The barbs and tetras wont last long either with a 5" Oscar.

Thanks, yes I know they grow quickly I will be moving the others a.s.a.p. When you size O's do you include the tail or just the body, like with other fish?

I am hopeful that because my GT is female, she won't get as aggressive as a male, so hopefully they will live harmoniously. I have some pics of her as well that I will add tomorrow. She is much bigger than the baby at the moment, so probably a good time to introduce them.

I am aiming for a 400L....

 

[minxfishy]

Same as other fish, without the tail.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Same as other fish, without the tail.

OK, thanks, he's definitely only an inch big at the moment. He's greedy as anything though, so doubt he'll stay that tiny for long