Oscar tankmates.

[Ammon]

I plan to do a 125 gallon tank with a red Oscar and a high fin spotted pleco. I want to include a group of fish with the Oscar. What suggestions do you have besides silver dollars.

Nothing bad to say about them their look just doesn’t work as well with an Oscar as I would like.

 

[Jexnell]

In the confines of an tank not much would be safe unless it's too big to be eaten. Silver dollars are what they live with in the wild, also tetras. But here is the difference. In the wild there is room for a tetra to run. In a tank not so. The Oscar will chase till the fish gets tired and trapped in a corner and then becomes a snack.
If you give the Oscar enough attention you won't need a dither. The Oscar will be out and active with you.
If you want dithers I suggest an 8X2X2 with the Oscar and 15 to 20 spotted or tiger stripe silver dollars. SD's like tetras become more active and swimming about in a group with more members. I started with 8 got 7 more for 15 total and that's when they were really what I wanted. But the activity level of the SD's bothered the Oscar in a 125gal.
If you already have the tank, then I suggest just the Oscar and pleco.

 

[Ammon]

In the confines of an tank not much would be safe unless it's too big to be eaten. Silver dollars are what they live with in the wild, also tetras. But here is the difference. In the wild there is room for a tetra to run. In a tank not so. The Oscar will chase till the fish gets tired and trapped in a corner and then becomes a snack.
If you give the Oscar enough attention you won't need a dither. The Oscar will be out and active with you.
If you want dithers I suggest an 8X2X2 with the Oscar and 15 to 20 spotted or tiger stripe silver dollars. SD's like tetras become more active and swimming about in a group with more members. I started with 8 got 7 more for 15 total and that's when they were really what I wanted. But the activity level of the SD's bothered the Oscar in a 125gal.
If you already have the tank, then I suggest just the Oscar and pleco.
View attachment 1558410

I like silver dollars. The problem I have with them for this tank is that their body shape is very similar to the Oscar’s.

That is why I am asking for other options.

 

[Ammon]

If I upgraded the tank the options would multiply.
I would probably do a group of 4 bala sharks instead.

 

[Ammon]

Any other ideas?

 

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

I agree with Jexnell . If you don’t believe Oscar’s can get that big look at FINWIN old Oscar, brick. They will fill out a 125 pretty easily. What do you want dithers for?

 

[Ammon]

I agree with Jexnell . If you don’t believe Oscar’s can get that big look at FINWIN old Oscar, brick. They will fill out a 125 pretty easily. What do you want dithers for?

I want a group of fish that are noticeably different from the Oscar. A group to put its size into perspective.

 

[Ammon]

Like putting tetras with angelfish a group of fish will help make the Oscar stand out more, but only if they don’t match it.

Any ideas for a group to go with the Oscar are welcome.

I just don’t want silver dollars their shape is too close to the Oscar’s.

 

[Americancichlidsaredabest]

Like putting tetras with angelfish a group of fish will help make the Oscar stand out more, but only if they don’t match it.

Any ideas for a group to go with the Oscar are welcome.

I just don’t want silver dollars their shape is too close to the Oscar’s.

I see. If that’s what you want I’d suggest some smaller species of cichlid to go with dithers. The Oscar will take up the whole 125 on its own.

 

[Ammon]

So 9 square feet of horizontal swimming space for a 1 foot fish with an 18 inch pleco?