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i got a 55 gallon tank and i want to get a tire track eel. i got 2 oscars in there at 10" and 8" and the eel that i want to get is about 13" long do you think i can get it in that tank.

Personally, I wouldn't get the eel. The oscars alone create a ton of waste, and adding another fish isn't going to make the tank any healthier, plus, the oscars are going to need a larger tank anyway. *shrug*

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Cake or death?

I would hesitate just because two oscars in a 55 gallon tend to be a little more aggressive because they are slightly cramped. I know my oscars when growing out in the 55 were much more aggressive than when they were moved to the 125. After that point they were laid back fish. With some really good hiding spots I would consider the eel, but it really isn't a good purchase till time to upgrade the tank

Koi

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

I agree. IMHO, Oscars should be in a larger tank. After that, then yeah... you could get an eel.

Also, even if you do get a larger tank, the oscar might attack your eel, depending on how agressive they are.

they are a male and female i got this one hideing place where it can go under the log and the oscars are to big for it. do you think it would help if i got some type of catfish. If i did what should it be and then could i get the eel. they arnt aggersive wit eachother.

Cat fish is a really bad idea, and wouldnt help the eel out at all. Problem with eel is your tank is not large enough.

Koi

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.

I've been keeping masties for a LONG time, and I can vouch for the fact that a 55 is definitely enough for a standard army.

then can i get a sunset cat or some raphels or pictus cats.

First, as has already been stated above, you need to address the matter of your Oscars needing more space. Those guys get big - 14 inches - and a 55 will be cramped once they get past about 6 inches each. Time to start shopping for a 125 or larger!

Second, if you're looking for a catfish that will survive the roughhouse that will be your Oscar aquarium, you're looking at Doradid catfishes, which share the same natural habitat as the Oscar, and which are like underwater main battle tanks armour wise. Doradid catfishes have spines on their armour too, and a host of other spiny deterrents on their fins (the pectorals are particularly powerful and armed with serrated edges) which will make even the most aggressive Oscar think twice about tangling with them.

Raphaels are Doradid catfishes with this heavy duty armour, so once you have enough space for your Oscars to grow, which will probably reduce their aggression as well (a fundamental rule of thumb with big Cichlids is that the more space they have to themselves, the less fractious they're likely to be), then a Raphael or similar species will go well with them.

Of course, if you manage to splash out on a really big setup (say, 250 gallons and up), you could keep one of the larger Doradids, which will definitely be safe from any attentions from your Oscars! However, be advised that the larger Doradids have very sharp spines on their body armour and pectoral fins, so if you ever have to transfer them from the aquarium to another one for quarantine purposes, say, then you'll need to get hold of some protective gauntlets because some species have bodies that are like razor wire to hold!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002