i wanted to get one oscar for a 29 gal but it looks as though oscars will out grow that so if I were to get 2 cichlids together and I dont want them to mate....in my 29 gal what should I get that would be similar to an oscar but that I don't have to upgrade my tank with.
2007-02-08 23:38:48 · 9 answers · asked by The Answer Man 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I dont want a bunch of tihy fish I want one or two as pets.....some people seem to think an oscar will work while others completely outlaw it....now if you don't think the oscar will please let me know what kind of cichlid's will...and one guy said cichlids aren't a good fit together...well in most cases they only fit together from what i've gathered
a convict and a firmouth maybe??
2007-02-09 01:15:51 · update #1
You migh check out Orange Chromide (Etroplus maculatus), Firemouth (Thorichthys meeki) and keyhole cichlids (Arquidens maronii). There's also the ever popular kirbs (Pelvicachromis pulcher) and the eye-spot cichlid (Pelvicachromis subocellatus). Not that all of these fish would work together, but they are all potential choices.
2007-02-09 00:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We had an Oscar and a Jack Dempsey in the same 29 gallon tank together. They were both about the same size, so they never tried to eat each other. They both did fine in that tank...never had a problem with them outgrowing the tank. We upgraded them to a 55 and added some convicts that were the same size. Convicts are prolific breeders. When our Oscar finally passed on, he was approximately a foot long. Huge, gorgeous fish. Our Dempsey was about 9 inches long when she passed.
Now we have a 55 set up with peach and silver cons, 2 parrot cichlids and a red jewel cichlid. The parrots are larger...about the size of the palm of my hand, and the cons and red jewel are about index finger length. The only ones who get eaten are the feeder fish and occasionally the babies.
2007-02-09 02:08:56 · answer #2 · answered by Carol S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An oscar will by NO means work in a 29 gallon aquarium. People who tell you it will, have obviously never seen a full grown oscar. Right now, my two are 14 inches and 12 inches long respectively, and STILL growing.
Like you suggested, a firemouth and a convict should work out fine. However, firemouths are very difficult to sex at a young age, and if you get a male con and a female firemouth, (or vice versa) they can crossbreed. Sajicas, and Honduran Red Points are also good looking species that stay fairly small. Although none of these fish are similar to oscars in appearance, many if not all will begin to recognize you as a food source and beg for food when they see you. For the most part though, it will depend on the individual fish.
2007-02-09 01:36:03 · answer #3 · answered by ~Rush~ 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oscars grow big and they grow fast. You have time, but not that much - if your Oscar is growing well he'll start to look awfully cramped in that tank after a year. If he doesn't then it's time to question what the tank is doing to his growth.
In the right enviornment a male will live for many years and pass the 12" mark. I also question the point of keeping a big fish in the cell of a tiny tank, when that tank can become much bigger by stocking smaller fish.
Cichlids are not friends. If you put two different species together it might work out if you are lucky, but in the long term with only two in the tank the more aggressive will very likely go after the other, at worst killing it, at best forcing it to live in hiding and fear all the time.
Learn about cichlids here: www.cichlid-forum.com.
2007-02-09 00:02:39 · answer #4 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO OSCAR!! they get way too big for a 29. I'm a huge fan of the meeki, but the convict may be a little too agressive to live with him. You could try a couple of the smaller "shell dweller" cichlids, or a firemouth meeki, or you could do several german blue and gold rams, they're a great little peaceful s. american cichlid. If you went with the rams, you could add a school of top dwelling hatchet fish as well.
2007-02-09 04:13:27 · answer #5 · answered by brandi91082 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
One pumpkinseed sunfish is great. They have the potential to grow 10", but most only get 5-7". 10" is the record for the fish. Pumpkinseeds are twice as agressive as oscars and have great personalities. Mine is still getting used to people, so he hides a lot. But if its just me sitting still he'll come out and give me his glare and show me how well he can redecorate and tear up the tank.
2007-02-09 06:43:52 · answer #6 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
an oscar would do fine by himself in a 29 gallon tank. he may need fairly frequent water changes, 10-20% a week. over filter it if you can. i would avoid trying to put another cichlid in with him. the chances that they will immediately or eventually fight for the territory is almost guaranteed. They defend about a 3 foot territory in nature (which would encompass the whole tank.) in a larger tank you can mix in a larger number so no one can establish a territory. that's the theory anyways, eventually someone always ends up being the big dog and you have to step in before the others get destroyed. now, of the central/south Americans, the oscar is one of the more docile species. Still they are not exactly a pushover
2007-02-08 23:55:30 · answer #7 · answered by G&L 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
One Oscar will do fine in a 29 gallon i have had one ina 29 gallon as i have one in a 29 right now. although you will need a filter . and weekly/monthly cleaning.
2007-02-09 01:03:47 · answer #8 · answered by Mikael 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't get 2 of the same species. Try a firemouth and a convict. Or something similiar. Best check your research to see who can get along. Try www.aquariumfish.com
2007-02-08 23:42:27 · answer #9 · answered by smart azz 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋