Tiger Oscar

[thebbqguy]

I was planning to set up a peacock cichlid tank, but then saw a Severum cichlid. I love them. And the Severums led me to a Tiger Oscar which is even more amazing. But, there is where it gets difficult. Community tank vs. a single fish or a duo.

I have a 75 gallon. It would be better if I had a 150 gallon, but that is a serious tank and a bit above my budget right now. I am sure many people keep single fish and like them fine. I am still thinking about it, but in the meantime I'll continue researching.

I might do the community peacock tank now as planned and then set up another 75 gallon later with a single Oscar - or an Oscar and a Severum.

Setting up tanks 75 gallons at a time may be the way to go. They are big enough to be interesting, but small enough to be manageable. (I don't have a vehicle that a 150 gallon tank would fit in to even transport it.)

[Regalblue]

This is how MTS starts, Lol

A 75gal is only good for one full grown Oscar & no tankmates.  So, I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to go with just one fish.

 Severum - you could get away with a pair for quite some time... buy 6 juvenile,  let them pair naturally,  sell/trade off the extras, add some dither fish & BAM! 

Peacocks - lots of little fish, which are colorful & active, but not really interactive, with their keepers,  unless you're about to feed them & they're begging for food.

[thebbqguy]

I had to go look up MTS. I hadn't heard that one yet.

I am barely past middle age, but I have definitely learned that there are trade offs to everything in life. You spend a lot of time looking for the "perfect" solution and you end up wasting a lot of time "researching" when you can actually be doing it.

Even though it's a lesson I've learned, I don't always follow it.

That is a nice suggestion you gave me about the Severums. I might have to give that some thought.

I saw one of these pictures quite by accident, but was immediately struck by the colors.

[Regalblue]

That's a Rotkiel pictured. I had some of them a couple years ago. They're a nice fish.

[dexternovice]

I have an Oscar and he's fantastic! However,  after asking here and several other places, it seems that the minimum size tank for one and anything else would be around 90 gal. I have some severums that I picked up from Mr and Mrs Mission Man who get better by the hour.  Spectacular colors, individual personalities,  and great tankmates with our angel, cories,  rams, neons (I know not for much longer), and bristlenoses. 

[thebbqguy]

Any idea where a guy could get some rotkiels?

[Regalblue]

I'm not sure about any breeders having them, except Pete Durkin,  who only sells wholesale.  But,  Fantastic Fins can order them from Pete.

[kodyboy]

I saw some at Bruce's Pond Shop a while back, not sure if he still has them.

[Regalblue]

I saw some at Bruce's Pond Shop a while back, not sure if he still has them.

Yep, Bruce orders from Pete too.

[thebbqguy]

I sent Fins and Bruce's an e-mail about getting some.