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i have a 55usg that has 2 oscars, 1 jack dempsey, and 1 texas. the reason there in the tank is because the tank i was going to put them in has an oscar 3 times there size. i was going to use the 55usg for a growing tank. so will the cichlids do okay till there about 8" each or should i only grow two at a time?

they final resting spot is a 135usg

You Can put them in with the big oscar right now! Oscar don't have a tendency to become a mean physco pathic fish and kill everything,some people say they are mean, but they are the peacfull cichlid I ever kept(accept baby time). Dempsey and Texas can fend for themself, just provide some caves for refuge if you don't wan't shreded fins. Kinda think of It, I kinda have a tank just like yours. Same growing tank, but I give it a risk and put it in my tank with two 12" oscars and it work fine.

My 5" green terror is bullying my 20" arowana
My 3" salvini living with fish 10 times its size.
My two oscars ignore everything.

I only think you should do 2 at a time.


I also agree with above. You can put them in with the oscar now.


Last edited by PJ at 09-Jan-2005 23:58

You'd be pushing it and they wouldn't grow as fast if you didn't step up the water changes as they grew.

My 10 inch Oscar is pretty mellow. He's in with a couple 3 inch firemouths and doesn't bother them. When you've got a day off that you can watch them, you might give it a try before the get to 8 inches.


Good luck, Mike

i have about 20 black convicts in a 35usg(saved from a 10usg and 60 other siblings) should i put them in so the oscar has a smaller target? and spend less time with the other cichlids

How big are they now? I would tenatively say yes, you could do it, but make sure there are plenty of hiding spots and territories, and keep a close eye on things, as the Oscars will probably grow faster but the Texas and Jack will be more aggressive.

the oscars are about 4.5", the jack around 6", texas 4"