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Could one of each be okay in a 80 gallon?????


Don't have either fish yet, just need to know if it would before hand.....


ANgel Eel

I have actually asked this question to several fish store owners.And I got the same answer. They will be ok but it all depends on the personallity of the fish. Because both can tend to be agressive but also can be peaceable.Also, Dempseys are usually very territorial Hope this helps

i would say no, only b/c i think an oscar would like the 80G for himself.

Since they reach relatively the same size and have about the same temperment,as long as there introduced at the same time and are around the same size they could be kept together just as long as the tank is large enough to accomadate both.

I had both in my tank, and both got along great. The jack dempsey followed the oscar everywhere.
I think it best if both are of same size when introduced.

they probably would be ok, but a larger tank would be much better for them. it definitely would depend on the personality of the individual specimens you choose though as to wether or not they'll get along.

for the record, oscars will usually grow quite a bit larger (and much faster) than a jack dempsey. dempseys on average will max out around 9-10" but you may see the occasional jumbo male at around 12". oscars on average will grow to at least 12" though it's definitely not uncommon to see jumbo males at 14-16".

once again, I gotta go with the depends on attitude. a small helper would be to leave a bare tank with gravel only, this will reduce the territorial trait by refusing landmarks, and at the same time ensure that noone gets beat to death on a rock or decoration. make sure to have a divider handy in case the need should arise. i keep a divider under my oscar tank in case my male gets abusive to my female and it makes a huge difference just in peace of mind alone.

The reason I was asking was I have two young oscars in the 80 gallon for now. As it seems though is that they will not get along for long (understandable and exspected) There was a JD that was at the LFS and he was slighty larger then my oscars, but was in a tank with WAY smaller fish and he didn't even bother them.

I was thinking with his calm mannor and my least violent oscar would be good together.

Then again I don't know if it fair to bring my mean oscar down because if he goes to a home that was less space then me I will DIE!!! I love both of my o's to death but I would rather give one away then have them kill each other........



I waited for a few more people to respond to weigh out the answers.

I am aware of the size both fish get but I find it hard to figure out myself what size of tanks are good for them =\ It is like someone picking for me how much air I get...So I am very carefull..


Well maybe I will try the two and see if they will work =)

If anyone else has suggestions on these fish about anything, food, lighting, tempers anything I will be glad to hear it

Thanks for the help again Fish profilers
Angel Eel

EDIT: I am sorry the oscar is already here, I have had two for a while. In my last post I said I don't have either fish yet, what I should have said is they are not in a tank together yet :%)

Last edited by angeleel at 12-Jul-2005 16:52

Last edited by angeleel at 12-Jul-2005 16:52