Wolfman

just curious do oscars in a mating pair get along, or will they fight like the rest my wife is dying to get some but were going to have to wait a while before we get them and I would like to gather as much info about them. I know the tank requirements 100-150 is what I am thinking, also will a aggresive pleco do ok with them. I was thinking about a mating pair and one of those mean looking plecos. thanks alot

Gunnie

I have 2 oscars with a common pleco in a 100 gal. tank. The oscars will nip at the pleco every once in awhile but when they do, they are reminded of his spiny fins and back off. Consider getting oscars that are young, and enjoy watching them grow. Also get the pleco while he is their size or bigger. The common plecos can get almost 2 feet long, but are usually only a couple of inches when you see them for sale. This way they all grow up together, and will get along better.

Wolfman

thanks gunnie, I Found a new LFS today didn't know it was there like a mom and pop store so I went to check it out. I was alittle disturbed by what I found the lady had some nice marine fish a good selection of fresh water and some great deals on used tanks filters etc. but I soon was disappointed by what I found she had some huge fish a arowana probly 4 ft in a 40 gallon tank a 14" oscar with a 3 foot shovelhead in a 50 gallon tank and another huge oscar with a huge knifefish and some other sort of chiclid in a 75. I cant help but be bothered by this now I'm not what you would call a animal activist but this was crazy the oscars had to turn upside down to turn in the tanks and they were not at all friendly. Are there any laws against such treatment or is it a turn your head type of policy.Needless to say I didn't buy anything and I won't by anything from here even though see is the only fish store within 300 miles where you can get marine fish. she had some great deals on tanks but I am a man of character and cant condone that type of behavior.
thank wolfman

Gunnie

Sometimes folks trade in fish or just bring them to the fish store, and the store doesn't have the bigger tanks available to accomodate them. Hopefully it is only temporary for those fish, and they will find new homes or be moved to bigger tanks. If the store and tanks looked clean, and the fish appear well cared for otherwise, I'd give them another chance.

Wolfman

well maybe I never thought of that ......... but she was asking 129.00 dollars for one of the oscars and 139 dollars for the other and 229 for the shovelnose. that seems high for fish in desperate need. it looked to me like one of the oscars had some small holes above each eye don't know if that is natural or what.

Gunnie

I really think you will enjoy your fish more if you raise them from babies. You will have a part in their developing personalities, and you will really like watching them grow up. I think it's kind of the same as getting a puppy or getting an adult dog you don't know.