Hi Guys. Many other Aussies on this site? I have been keeping tropical fish for some 20 years. Everything from Marine to African Rift lake cichlids and everything in between. I have never kept American Cichlids before accept Angels which I kept in a general community tank. I recently purchased 5 juvenile tiger oscars. I would like to say that its been smooth sailing, but that would be a lie. I am down to just 2.SOB. The problem (I think) was that I have some big 8" Salmon tail catfish in the tank, and I have never found the bodies of the oscars as they dissapeared, though the Catfish's belly looks Huge. I have temporarily relocated the Catfish till the Osars grow a bit bigger.
Now I assume this site is Largely American?
If I start talking in Centimetres and litres, Will i loose everybody?
I look forward to sharing Experiences with you all.

Kanga-Fish wrote:


Hey Kanga, welcome,

I think the problem would be putting juvies in with an 8'' catfish. No mystery there on that one.

BTW, how big is this tank you were planning on keeping 5 oscars and a catfish in? Litres is just fine.... you are aware of how large oscars get and the space they require right?

Hi Johny,
My tank measure 1200x600x450, or 4x2x1/12. By my reckoning that makes it about 320L or 85g. I recognise that this is on the smaller size for keeping oscars which I can expect to grow up to 12 inches. I bought 5 juvenilles to start with so they could pair off naturally, at which time I plan to reduce the numbers to 2. I do have 2 Catfish which I had mentioned as well as 3 mid size clown loaches. I was hoping to maybe inlude one more cichlid, perhaps a parrot or chocolte. Bit ambitious?

heya kanga i am located on the central coast nsw
very ambitiouse the smallest recomended size is 55gal
per oscar so to keep 2 in your tank would mean good filtration
and probly 2 w/c per week or even 3 so no tank mates
unfortunatley =[ unless you upgrade or buy a 110gal
just for your oscars =]

Hi Kanga

Your not alone there's a few of us Aussies on here

Cheers Gaz

ps: I'm in brisbane

Hi, another Aussie, Tweed Heads...no they talk metric and imperial on this site..regardless..I think in any unit of measurement...your tank is too small for all the fish you want to keep. Be like everyone else on this site and get MORE tanks or BIGGER tanks....Welcome, it's a great site with fantastic people...Shaz

Hi Shaz,
Get more tanks, my wife would kill me!
I had up to a dozen tanks at one time and was breeding fish by the Hundreds. (Sounds familiar?)I was breeding mostly African rift lake cichlids.
Only have the one tank now but I can see that changing.LOL

I'm on the West Coast, in Perth.
I seem to have gotten used to saying my tank is a 225 us gallon quite a bit, but I also go by the 850 litre when talking to somebody from Oz.

When you are talking Oscars nothing is lost in translation the world over.

Have you got some pics to share of your tank setup?

Hi Aus Car,
850, that is one big tank.
I dont have any photos. It is not vey spectacular at present. It was previously a general community tank with Gouramis,Tiger barbs, Angels, tetra ect. It was well planted and pretty, but I got bored of it. I was thinking of packing the whole thing up. I have learned through exerience that this is when its time for a change, to keep the interest, hence my switch to Oscars.
The tank is a bit of a work in progress. Once I have it set up nice, I will post some pics.

I originally planned for a 1000 litre 8x2x2, but I got 20% off this one and it was there ready to take not needed to be built. One day I'll have that 8foot, probably once I'm a bit stable house wise (when I own my own..or should I say if )

Welcome

Another Aussie here as well, welcome, Mid North Coast NSW for me, Taree area