Hey everyone.

I have decided I'd like to raise some Oscar fish, however I only have a 3ft tank at present. My plan is to get a big 6 foot tank within the next few months, for a pair of Oscars and some buddies.

My question is what kind of buddies should I get to start growing in the 3foot so that once the Oscars outgrow them, they don't become lunch!

I saw another thread mention silver dollars but I don't like the look of these fish. Are there any good looking Cichlids that do not grow too fast that I could keep in the 3 foot tank until I get my bigger one that will eventually be fine with a couple of Oscars? Do plecs grow fast? I'd like to have a big sucker to help with clean up.

Thanks guys any help appreciated.

a 3 ft tank usually has a footprint of 36 x 18 which is approximately
50 gal capacity. at that size, you can have 2 small oscars for 6 months
with good filtration and regular water change. tankmates is not ideal
since it invites water problems. plecs are waste producer also thus
giving additional loads (common mistake) instead of cleaning.

tankmates, it will depend on your preference. i for one like the floating
angel fish or pacu. however, pacu grows at the same rate with the oscar.
you really need to have a big tank to practice happy oscar fishkeeping.

welcome to the site.

firstly plecs are not as good as cleaning as you may think. when small they clean algea fairly well but as they grow they become effective at cleaning and more effective at increasing the bio load.
as for what can be kept with oscars well the list is long indeed. check this link to give you and idea on what other members keep in their tanks..


www.oscarfishlover.com/index.php/Oscar-T...-s-in-your-tank.html

Sorry I wasn't very clear!

The tank is only 37US gallon, or 140 liters.

I didn't mean I was going to put Oscars AND some tank mates in this small tank, I was going to just put some fish in there to get a head start on growing before I get my bigger Oscar tank.

I was thinking a couple clown loaches and a sucker of some kind (what would people suggest? One that isn't too messy!)..

If growing a couple of Oscars in this small tank would be ok for a few months I'd just do that but from what I've read it's not a good idea?

I've been browsing some other sites looking at Oscar 'friendly' fish and someone suggested Convicts and I like the look of these fish.

Could I start my 3foot tank off as something like 2 Clown Loaches and a couple of Convicts with a med sized catfish? They will not get to full size in this tank, it's only gonna be thier home for about 3 - 5 months. Car registration and insurance time at the moment .

Any other suggestions?

The 3 foot tank will be a decorative tropical tank in the rumpus room (basically our entertaining room) once I get the big tank for Oscars in my loungeroom.

I wouldnt say convicts would be a good idea. I kept them for a while and all they did was make the weak ones miserable and breed. These things seem to breed like rabits. At least that is the experience I had with them.

convicts are the rabbits of the fish world. and a breeding pair of convicts can become very aggressive and protective. you would be best if you only got one sex of cons.

you good get a big segnel bichir mine hangs with my 1.5 inch oscars as a look over when my silevr dollars get to close to my oscars he chases them awat



heres what i have as my tank
125 gallon with
2 fluval 405s and 2 fluval fx5
undergravel filter(i know its bad)with powerheads the awaclear 110 i thi think there called and 2 aqua clear 110

i have about 4470 gph per hor which is about 35 times per hour turnover



my stock list
6 silver dollars(8 inches each)
2 albino oscars(1.5 inches each)
1 segnel bichir(8 inches long)
2 bulldog plecos(4 inches each)
6 pictus catfish(6 inches each)





so any of this fish will work



happy fish keeping

seem to me you've got a good combination. while your oscar still
a juvinile, they won't become aggressive toward the tankmates as
they grow up.

would you pls post a picture.

no sorry my camera broke i will try to get some with my phone

sounds like a good combo.....shame about the pics..oh and welcome if i have missed your intro thread!!!!!!!!!