Topic: Soon to venture into the amazing world of cichlids!..

[KonvictKid]

So I am new here to these forums but not to fish. I have had a 29 gallon tank up for a few years but for awhile its been down to only a red-tailed shark living there lol. That changed today though as I picked up a lovely little tiger oscar today  my first cichlid btw.

Now onto the good stuff, I know a 29 is too small but I didn't wanna leave this pretty fella at petsmart after I saw him. Good news is I checked craigslist and have a deal set up and a guy holding a tank for me til I can get it this week. It is a 110 gallon for $100!! So once its up and running the oscar, Bruce, will be moved into there.

I want a few other cichlids in there aswell, keeping it american though. I like convicts so maybe a pair would be nice? Any toher ideas of cichlids I could keep? I am friends with a girl whose mom owns a petstore so I can get fish special ordered if they can get them 

[Gerry]

Welcome to the site and welcome to Oscar keeping, great fish 

I wouldn't add a pair of cichlids to any tank with other fish there as cichlids have an aggressive nature and this is multiplied x10 when breeding.

With an Oscar in a 110  gallon tank you have many options on tank mates so I would suggest a little browse through This List and see what takes your eye, then let us know and we can help with if its compatible or not 

Ps, its a long list so have fun 

[KonvictKid]

Ok ill start on that list lol and thanks for the welcome 

The oscar is still only about 2 inches or less too so he will look tiny in such a large tank haha

Question right now though is could I keep one convict in the tank with the oscar and others?

[Gerry]

Your little O will grow about an inch a month with proper care so will soon fill out your 110, trust me 

Yes an Oscar and a convict can co-inhabit

This Tank cleaning Article tells you how to keep your water tip top and filtration needs for Oscars, messy buggers with a big appetite

This [ur=lhttp://www.worldcichlids.com/portal/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=42&topic=15676.0] Food List[/url] will let you know what they can eat, you'll be surprised lol

[KonvictKid]

Thanks for the links ill be reading those lol

Ok so so far an oscar and convict for the tank, now to choose a few others asweel haha o what fun but yet torture 

[Gerry]

This is the best part 

Don't go mad though thinking you'll get lots of cichids, they are very territorial, you could end up with as little as 3 or 4 in your 110, depending on what you go for size and temperament way.

Also, they tend to have their own personality with some willing to share space and some not, so good that you have friend with a pet store who can take any nasty buggers back for you

[KonvictKid]

I know I won't be getting a lot, hence why I said chooseing will be fun yet also torture.

As far as the tank goes though right now would a sand or gravel substrate be best?

[Gerry]

that's a personal choice and will make no difference to the fish, pro's and con's to both, I prefer gravel with O's as it hides the poop better between cleans lol

[KonvictKid]

Hmmm good poin lol.

From what I've read too should I really even bother with plants?

[Gerry]

No, most times they rip them up though some folk have been lucky, might be worth a gamble for a bit of java fern and see how it goes.

[KonvictKid]

Ok...

Now with stock I'm thinking fish around the size of convicts. I want the oscar to be the "center peace" fish so unless I absolutley fall in love with one I don't really think I want anything that'll be about the same size as him

[Gerry]

1 O and 3 about con size is good I think

[Stormbringer]

hi and welcome to the site , yep its fun going through the list 

[KonvictKid]

Hmmm well I think that the smaller cichlids I liked best for the tank along with my O and a convict were, if I can get them, firemouths and keyhole cichlids. Both look lovely in pics of well cared for ones and both stay smaller at around the same size of a convict 

[Tony]

Just gotta becarefull with smaller cichlids and a oscar,, have plenty of hidey holes as I have had oscars get along fine with convicts but on a few occasions the convicts "accidentally' fell into the oscars mouth LMAO..(not funny at the time though )