Question On Oscars

[Oscarwild]

I am about to purchase some Oscars but I want to make sure I have everything right before they come. I'm looking at getting around 6 or 7 Veil-tails of whatever varieties my lfs can get me. I have a 780L tank (6x2x2.5) with wet/dry sump filter running at an apparent 3500L/hr. I also have a Fluval FX-5 Canister filter which runs at the same rate. I've put normal generic gravel in it (Just enough to cover the fake plant roots). It's been cycling with around 8 10cm Goldies in it at a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius for around two months now. Got a bit of Driftwood in there (getting more soon). I've got a Pleco thats around 15cm long in there already. I'm going to try and breed a pair out of this set up but I'll be moving them to an approx 400L (4x2x2) tank to do so. This tank is an Ornamental Goldfish tank at the moment but these guys will be moving to my outdoor pond when the time comes (unless the missus lets me get another tank). This tank also has a Fluval FX-5 running in it, but that's all. Oscar tank has subdued lighting with only a 2ft single reflector running (will the O's mind if I upgrade to a 4ft double).
Anyway, I'd like to know if its pheasable to stock the 6ft with more Oscars for the period I'm trying to pair them off. Id also appreciate any insight into what I'm trying to do. Especially if you see anything wrong with the whole picture. Any question is whether or not the different varieties will want to pair of with each other.

Cheers

 

[Miss Wiggle]

as far as I know the only way you can keep more than 1 O is in a group of 6+, and you need to have them together from as young an age as possible. If you can get a group of siblings that would probably be best.... but maybe not if your wanting to breed them If two pair off then they can be kept together on they're own but there have been reports of couple's turning on each other out of the blue.

I don't think that tank is big enough for 6 Oscar's.... I don't know the exact size you'd need but I have 1 Oscar in a 350l tank and that's pretty much the minimum recommended size for 1. You've got just over double that, I can't imagine it being enough for 6.





yeah had a v quick nosey around, you need 1080l as an absolute minimum for a group of O's

 

[ox5477]

I agree with Miss Wiggle on the fact that either you should have the pair with maybe a bottom feeder or two. Or you could do a species tank and have some other cichlids in there with him, but not with the pair as the couple will brutalize any other cichlid near them. But you do have a nice large tank and could have many different fish in there! Good luck deciding whats best for you!

EDIT: I think this is obvious but I didnt really state it, just implied it. In the species tank, there is just one Oscar along with a few other single species of New World Cichlids

 

[Miss Wiggle]

and just to make clear... a pair isn't just a male and female oscar and hoep they'll get along, you'd need to get a young group, wait for some to pair off and if two of them do then keep those and re-home the rest, or buy an adult breeding pair. Just getting any 2 and sticking them in together is gonna result in carnage 99% of the time.

 

[ox5477]

and just to make clear... a pair isn't just a male and female oscar and hoep they'll get along, you'd need to get a young group, wait for some to pair off and if two of them do then keep those and re-home the rest, or buy an adult breeding pair. Just getting any 2 and sticking them in together is gonna result in carnage 99% of the time.

Thank you, forgot to state that. Very true indeed. And even if they pair off, I think there is a chance they could still possibly get testy with eachother, (like all relationships ). Not until they breed is their pair solidified.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

and just to make clear... a pair isn't just a male and female oscar and hoep they'll get along, you'd need to get a young group, wait for some to pair off and if two of them do then keep those and re-home the rest, or buy an adult breeding pair. Just getting any 2 and sticking them in together is gonna result in carnage 99% of the time.

Thank you, forgot to state that. Very true indeed. And even if they pair off, I think there is a chance they could still possibly get testy with eachother, (like all relationships ). Not until they breed is their pair solidified.

yup absolutely.

personally I've just gone for the easy option of keeping one with some other NW Cichlids and a plec

 

[ox5477]

personally I've just gone for the easy option of keeping one with some other NW Cichlids and a plec

I agree with this method as I think using a 125G Tank for at most maybe 2 or 3 fish is kinda bland. If you have the different species of cichlids with a plec or two (depending on the species) makes a much more interesting tank to look at and makes a cool centerpiece for a living or dining room

 

[Oscarwild]

Thanks both for your insight. I'm set on having a species tank of Oscar's though. Really not interested in other NWCichlids. I think your probably right about having too many in the tank. Gonna go with 6 first up, see how they go. I reckon it'll be big enough for them. Feels like a kind of waste of space but I've had Oscars before and I still remember how they become a part of the family. It'll be worth it.

 

[KathyM]

I think you'll be heading for disaster with 6 in a tank that size

I think your probably right about having too many in the tank.....<snip>....I reckon it'll be big enough for them.

I don't understand this bit.....

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I think you'll be heading for disaster with 6 in a tank that size

I think your probably right about having too many in the tank.....<snip>....I reckon it'll be big enough for them.

I don't understand this bit.....

me either, i give up. poor O's

if you want more than 1 then yeah maybe get 6, wait for two to pair off then keep those two and re-home the rest. IMO it's the only way you can make a tank that size work with more than 1 O..

 

[ox5477]

Yes, and It's cruel to the fish if you keep all six until adult hood. They may look cool but all they will do is headbutt and nip eachother and cause many probs in the tank. With open sores the fish will get infections and prob die, if not treated correctly. Also, the tank will get quite dirty when they are bigger and require a bit of cleaning maintanance from you; more than you may wish to do (Oscars are messy eaters). But, I guess if you got your heart set then go for it and maybe you will realize what your doing to them once they start hurting and seriously injuring eachother.