Highly Aggressive Oscar

[Emissary Of Pain]

Hey all ...

I am new to the forum and apologise if this is a stupid question ... But here it goes ...

I have a highly aggressive oscar that I am goin to rehome to a 90g tank, he was raised with a convict and brichardi (oscar was about 1inch when with these fish), the problem is that the 90 gal has 2 cichlids in it already (yellow lab, unknown mbuna) with 1 pleco and a chinese algea eater.

The oscar was kept in a 3ft just until I can setup the 90g ... The oscar will attack and kill (eat if possible) any fish that goes into the tank except the 2 it "grew up" with ...

Is there a way 2 curb his aggression for when he is put into the 90g ... I have read that putting all fish in except the oscar will allow them 2 make the "homes" 1st and lessent eh oscars aggression 2 try claim the whole tank ... does this work ?? ... is there a way ?? (i really dont want to lose the other fish)

I look 4ward to all advice,

Regards,
Emissary Of Pain

[Lady Hobbs]

Chances are this Oscar will never accept other tankmates and see them as food. Some cichlids are just that way and why many keep Oscars alone in their own tank. You do have the best idea of adding him to the tank last but it still may never work.

[Ocellatus]

Welcome to the AC mate.

African cichlids with oscar is not a wise combination I say.
In general, africans are not lucky enough to escape the big mouth of oscars in a bounded place for ever. even the mellow oscars are very opportunistic hunters. on the other hand, oscars are not fast enough to prevent their nasty nips on the tail.

Plus you have an aggressive oscar!
after all, you can try but I don't recommend it.

[Emissary Of Pain]

hey all ...

Thanks for the advice so far ... I am lost as what to do. I have only got space for the 1 tank. Guess I should rather give away my others rather than risk them gettin killed ...

Do u think adding shelter for the smaller fish would work ?? ... Caves ... Gaps in driftwood .. etc ??

Regards

[Northernguy]

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!:22:
I also agree that the oscar needs its own tank.
Some get along with other fish but not very often.
Africans and south american cichlids do not belong in the same tank.Their temperments are very different,they also live in very different water conditions.
The oscar is also very capeable of rearranging the tank to get at the others.lol

[Lady Hobbs]

I would return the others. They would have no life if they were having to stay in hiding all day. Africans are very active fish and want to be out and about with several of their own species. Let the Oscar have his house to himself.

[rich311k]

I would just keep the Oscar in the tank. They make great pets and he will fill the tank all by himself.

[chronic]

Agreed! Dont take the risk, you'll only be stressed out later on.

[winfield]

i agree rehome african cichlids try puttting a few convicts or any other fish a bit larger

[dccruibay5]

You have to bear in mind that Oscar fish is a big fish. It is normal for the Oscar fish to grow to 16 inches. If you do not have a big tank, you must not even think of keeping the Oscar fish.
Oscar fish is an aggressive eater. You can feed the Oscar fish with commercial fish pellets. You can feed small fish, worms or shrimps to the Oscar fish.
When the Oscar fish is young, you need to fish a few times a day. You can see that the small Oscar fish swims away with a big stomach when it is full.