Oscars Or Piranhas

[jules1618]

I am looking to get back into cichlids. I gave kept Oscars for years but when I went to university I could not take them to my dorm.
I would like to get back into the hobby now and am debating between 2 Oscars or red bellied piranhas.

77 gal tank

 

[fluttermoth]

Could you post the dimensions of your tank please? Do you know if you water is hard or soft?

 

[simonas]

Piranhas aren't cichlids?
 
I've kept a couple of big pairs of oscars in the past and love those fish. Bags of character will swim about and feed from wherevery our hand is etc
 
Red Bellys I found incredibly boring as a display. I had 9 largeish ones in a 750 litre tank. They foul the water and you have to really keep on top of maintenance, they are shy by nature and in my opinion although looking good don't look as good as a large oscar. 
 
No brainer for me

 

[fluttermoth]

Piranhas aren't cichlids?

True; they're actually tetras

 

[Munroco]

Agree with Simonas, piranha aren't the most interesting of fish and when you keep a group many of them will end up with chunks missing so not the most attractive. Oscars are a bit messy but definitely have more character.