Would just like to say Hi to everyone, I have taken the plunge and bought two tiger oscars they are about 3 inch and I have had them since sunday. My tank is 440 litres ie around 100 english gallon and all I have in it is the oscars and a large plec that I have had for three years the tank looks empty the Oscars are constantly together and are called Jack and Vera even though they are probably two of the same sex. I am not bothered about breeding the oscars I would just like to see them get on with each other. I am thinking about adding two red spotted severums this eekend and would appreciate any advice you may have about oscar tankmates, I have also been advised to add large clown loach but to be honest I feel that four large fish is enough for the size of the tank I would be interested to hear your views on this subject,

Clown Loach make great tankmates. However, finding large ones isn't that easily and they are very expensive. They also like to be in groups as well. Although they take a very very long time to grow, they can reach over 12 inches in size. At the moment, you are getting towards the limit that your tank will take. When you say a large plec, how large? Remember that some of these can reach over 2 feet in length and require quite big tanks themselves. Severums would also make good tankmates. As with eartheaters and various other fish. To be perfectly honest, I don't think you should be looking at anything else, not with that large plec anyway. What kind of filtration have you got? This will also play a huge part in having tankmates. If you get yourself some really good filtration, this will certainly help your situation.

By the way, you must be a Corrie fan:lol:

Thanks no it was my husband that named them :angry: the plec is about 12 inch and the filter is an external rena xp3 I have been told that I can get two severums to go with the oscars but if this is going to cause problems then I will stick to the two oscars. it is so confusing when everyone gives different advice. before the oscars i had 38 malawi chichlids 3 plecs and 2 cuckoo catfish and had no problems.(apart from the fish killing each other)So the oscars must produce a lot of waste. I want to do whats best for the fish and know that they will soon grow.. by the way the plecs called paul my hubby's idea of humour. So what do you think do I need to think about moving the plec and if so what size tank would i need ?
many thanks for your reply

Unfortunately, some forums are too successful for their own good. What is the use of going on forum, asking a question and then getting 10 conflicting answers from lots of people who think they know best. Any advice I give you is based purely on my own experience. You can either ignore it, or follow it. I don't like plecs at all. They are horrible messy creatures that don't really add anything to the tank in my opinion. I have had a couple of these fish before and got rid of them every time. What you need to do is decide what would look better in your tank, one of these big ugly fish, or a couple of beautiful severums. I don't think you've got room for all of them, not with that one filter. The amount of waste the Oscars will produce once they get bigger, plus the plec plus any other fish will be absolutely huge. That sort of yours will get filthy so quickly, you won't believe it. Just wait and see, you will be amazed when you see what comes out of an Oscar. You need really good filtration. In my opinion, external filters are the only way to go with these fish. Obviously people will disagree with me but that's their prerogative. I have kept these fish long enough to know what is efficient, and what is not.

I value your opinion has I have never kept Oscars before I will certainly use your advice:) The Rena xp3 is an external filter do you think I need more than one filter? If I remove the plec and buy two Severums which are beautiful fish will I have adequate filtration? Also the Severums I have seen are red spotted but when I have tried to find out info on them on the web they say they are dyed The tropical fish centre where i have bought all my fish from are saying they are not however I have searched the web and can not find any has bright and fully marked so who do I believe could you recommend a good site to trust on this matter? By the way Jack and Vera are doing fine at the moment they come to the front of the tank each morning and take the chichlid sticks from my hand its so great to see fish living peacefully and swimming together after my 3 years with the Malawi's and watching them gang up and kill any of the other fish who showed weakness.