Thinking Oscars

[Justin Boucher]

Hello all,
I have a 100 gal freshwater that currently has 1 irridescent shark, 1 red
tail, 1 marble angel and about 6 ottos and/or khuili loaches. I'm
consdiering a major change and converting this tank to house 2 or 3 Tiger
Oscars. Since I'm not very familiar with cichlids, I thought this forum
would be the best place for answers.

So here are my questions:

I heard that Oscars like to rearrange plants, I have a large amazon sword
plant (18"h x 20" dia foliage) currently in the tank. I intend to remove
it, but if I kept it, would the Oscars rip it to shreads?

Would it be advisable to mix my current fish load with 2 Oscars? I'm
particularly concerned about the two sharks and angel fish. The rest I
expect will become breakfast at one point or another.

What about a Jack Dempsey?

Snails or Pleco for algae control?

Finally, I also have a 20 gal I was going to breed guppies in. Nothing
fancy. Any thoughts on a periodic diet of guppies for the oscars?

Thank you,
Justin

[T]

"Justin Boucher" > wrote in message
...
> Hello all,
> I have a 100 gal freshwater that currently has 1 irridescent shark, 1 red
> tail, 1 marble angel and about 6 ottos and/or khuili loaches. I'm
> consdiering a major change and converting this tank to house 2 or 3 Tiger
> Oscars. Since I'm not very familiar with cichlids, I thought this forum
> would be the best place for answers.
>
> So here are my questions:
>
> I heard that Oscars like to rearrange plants, I have a large amazon sword
> plant (18"h x 20" dia foliage) currently in the tank. I intend to remove
> it, but if I kept it, would the Oscars rip it to shreads?
>
> Would it be advisable to mix my current fish load with 2 Oscars? I'm
> particularly concerned about the two sharks and angel fish. The rest I
> expect will become breakfast at one point or another.
>
> What about a Jack Dempsey?
>
> Snails or Pleco for algae control?
>
> Finally, I also have a 20 gal I was going to breed guppies in. Nothing
> fancy. Any thoughts on a periodic diet of guppies for the oscars?
>
> Thank you,
> Justin
>
>
The plant would be history.. The Oscars would tend to rip it apart and
consume it.. Probably not to terrible for the Oscars diet though.. I am not
familiar with the Otto's or that type of loach, but if the Oscars can fit it
in thier mouth they are going to eat it. A Pl*co would be alright, as long
as he can not fit in the Oscars mouth. I would suspect they would make a
meal of the snails, although I am unsure of that. You can feed the Oscars
the gup's as long as you make sure the feeders are free from parasites etc.
A JD is cranky fellow.. Best kept by themselves. If these are your first
choices for South American and Central American cichlids your going to have
a lot of work on your hands.. Oscar's are a lot of work because they are
sensitive to water conditions, and other seemingly minute things.. HTH, hole
in the head is common due to poor water qaulity, charcol and improper
feeding.. I don't know much about JD's, but you might be intrested in
Convicts.. Very hardy, prolifiac breeders and very hardy.. If you get a pair
of convicts you will have hundreds in a short while.. You have had some
learning expieriance and knowledge with fish, thats always a good thing. I
suggest though, and please don't think I am trying to be rude, extend your
fish education some more by reading as much material as you can..
thekrib.com is a great web site with hugh amounts of information.. I hope
this helps you..

Tim.. Happy fish keeping..