Compatible with Tiger Oscars?

[lupine327]

I have a 50 gallon long tank I am planning to start up again. In the past I had a clown knife that was about 12" long before I moved and had to tear it down. I am planning to put a tiger oscar (small) in the tank and maybe a couple pacus and a catfish. I am hoping for some suggestions of colorful attractive fish to also put in this tank. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions. I am also planning to put a fair amount of rocks (real and/or artificial) and live plants.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Radioheadx14]

I would be careful with oscars... i have had many oscars in the past, and when they get full grown, there is not much else that will fit in a 55 gallon. a lot of LFS will say they go good with several different cichlids, but IME, either the oscar dies of stress or visa versa. I think a better place to ask would be the cichlid forum.

 

[rich311k]

Welcome to AA!!!

One oscar alone in a fifty gallon is pushing it. Forget the pacus they get the size of garbage can covers. A large pleco may do okay with an oscar, depends on the O's personality.

Live plants are a waste of time. He will spend a good deal of his time ripping them up.

If you want to get a larger cichlids why not a JD or a severum. They are both pretty fish and would be a much better fit in your tank.

 

[sarah5775]

I would second the what Rich311k said...a fifty for an oscar is really pushing it. They like a lot of room, and also are very messy fish. My dad had one in a fifty-five and it had to be cleaned twice a week. And there was definitely no room for anything else.

Oscars are great fish but they are very high maintenance.