If I was to keep 2 would they have to be a male and female or can you house the same sex together? I don't suppose they're easy to sex are they?

Edit: From what I can see the same sex will fight as they mature and sexing isn't easy! I think I might be best with just 1 Oscar then.

Hi hun and welcome.

To answer our question YES it matters... Two males will likely kill each other. 2 females are fine and a male and a female and you could end up with TONS of baby Oscars...

Good luck!

No man.. Not easy.. Thats why I sad buy like 6 babies and wait for them to pair off... that will likely net you a male and female..

you can mix sex but it still may not end the perfect pair or mates as they may fight no matter what sex you get. A large enough tank is the key to give them space if they don't like each other.

I'll work on getting just one I guess then. I don't want the hassle of buying a group and waiting for them to pair off and then trying to find new homes for them. A bigger tank isn't an option right now, I've only had my current one a year and regained my confidence (Last November my previous 97 UK gallon tank cracked over night and flooded our lounge. I'd only had it a month and nearly stopped keeping fish after that. It's taken me a long time to regain my confidence in big tanks)

One O and some tank mates will look wonderful... I am glad you got your confidence back..

I shall read up on tank mates now

A lot of members become obsessed with breeding. believe me its not easy and is usually more trouble than its worth. if its breeding you really want to do OK you have no choice, if its a nice tank of fish you want forget trying to pair them off and find fish that look good and get on well together. in the long run I prefer this myself.

Breeding isn't something I want to get into. One Oscar and some tank mates sounds perfectly fine to me

Is there a picture guide anywhere on here of the types of Oscar commonly available?

1 Oscar is probably best (even though I keep 2). It is more about luck then anything if you want to keep more than 1. They can either be best friends or worse enemies. I get the occassional chase around in my tank but nothing to aggressive. As long as they get properly fed and are not in each others eyes constantly then you might be ok. I put a 3" and a 7" together, they act like big bro and lil sis. Hope it stays like this.