will i need to change the water more? will it kill my pleco too? does it like to be alone or in groups or sets? how violent is it? do they die easy?:
2007-01-29 08:47:08 · 7 answers · asked by Carcin Ogin 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Oscars need to be alone, pretty much. They are very territorial fish and need a lot of space to be happy. One oscar needs a minimum of 60 gallons.
So, if you want to keep 2 oscars together you can, just make sure the tank is over 120 gallons.
Any smaller than that, and they'll fight with each other.
They will, yes, kill any other fish in the tank that can not defend themselves and this includes plecos.
You will need to do weekly water changes of about 30%, which is more or less what you should be doing right now, anyway.
Also, oscars eat a wide variety of food. The staple diet should be a quality oscar pellet but you can supplement that with night crawlers, shrimp, beef heart, and the occasional live fish.
Oscars aren't for newcomes to the hobby, or lazy hobbiests who are likely to forget about cleaning the tank. Oscars are hardy fish but they need certain requirements met, such as space and diet - and if those are met, they can live 8-12 years.
2007-01-29 08:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is preferable to change the water once a week or every other week. No, the Oscar will not kill the Pleco. For one thing, Pleco's are bottom feeders. Oscar's usually do not mind company. From my experience, Oscar's are not a violent fish. I had one eating out of my hand before. In severe weather, such as an ice storm where you lose your electricity for a week.......yes, they can die. Other than that, they do not die that easily.......but, you have to deal with them daily.....just like any pet.
2007-01-29 17:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by Cherokee Lady 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you will need to change the water more often than for other fish. Oscard can develope hole in the head disease if the water conditions aren't near perfect.
It probably won't kill your pleco (although possible), it may annoy the crap out of it.
You can keep it with other fish. But keep in mind that Oscars are known for needing to be the "kings" of the tank. They will duel other fish quite often. But, they are like people, they each have different attitudes. A chance you have to take when getting and Oscar.
I think they do best by themselves. They really show excitement for you (the fish owner) more so when by themselves. They get all of the attention this way!
Hope this helps
2007-01-29 17:12:24 · answer #3 · answered by to be announced 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Expect it to grow very big very fast - within 1 year it will need a tank of at least 50 gallons
It will most likely ignore your pleco, as long as your pleco is big enough not to be considered food (I wouldn't go with a pleco less then 8" long).
They are best kept either alone, in mating pairs, or groups if you have a massive aquarium or pond. Any way you keep them they are best kept in a species tank. Long term, figure on at least a 75 gallon setup for one or a pair, at least 400 gallons for a group. To achieve a pair you must get 4 or 5 young ones and grow them out together and let them form their own pair - buying 2 won't cut it as the chances are better then not that they'll start to fight as they get larger.
They are very messy and do best if you keep up on water changes and maintenance. They are prone to hole-in-the-head disease and need pristine water and a good diet to avoid it.
They are very territorial and aggressive compared to the average fish, but they're quite timid compared to other similar sized cichlids.
2007-01-29 17:01:04 · answer #4 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oscars really arent violent. They will just eat anything that can fit in their mouths. They are awesome fish. You need at least 55 gallons per Oscar. Make sure you feed them a proper, nutritious diet, so they do not get hole in the head disease. I have three small Oscars in my 120 gallon tank right now. When they get a bit bigger I am going to have to move one.
2007-01-31 12:10:25 · answer #5 · answered by Kari R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i have two oscars and i was told they like to be alone, well so far my two oscars dont fight and they dont eat anything but the feeder fish (30) i buy and i have a turtle with them so it all depends on how you take care of them and i have them all in a 29 gallon tank. doing just fine oh yeah i have a pleco with them and they leave him alone.
2007-01-29 17:04:59 · answer #6 · answered by Jeanette 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
oscars don't die too easily, and don't have smaller fishes living with the oscar. it ma end up eating it. but plecos are fine.... plecos don't bother them so they won't bother the pleco.... plecos are a good fish o buddy up with others.
2007-01-29 17:28:03 · answer #7 · answered by Sxc 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋