What Oscar should I add to my tank?

Question

I had a red oscar (a small guy) and him and my Jack Dempsey got eaten by my catfish (she's about a foot long) (I'm assuming it's her because the only other fish left is the green severum and he's pretty chill)

I have a 55 gallon tank...

So my question is:

Should I get a big Oscar or go for the small guy again?

Oh and the big oscar I'm thinking of getting was in the tank with the catfish at the fish store.... but will they attack my green severum?

ALL HELP IS APPRECIATED A BEST ANSWER WILL BE CHOSEN!

Answer 1

Big oscar is too expensive, perhaps, oscar cichlids grow very fast thus choose the biggest oscar in the juvenile tank for $4-5 each.

Green severum should not be too small otherwise will be eaten. If you are getting a big oscar, green severum has to be 6 inches or so. You know that oscar cichlids are semi-aggressive right? That means that it will not bother other fishes unless your green severum is small as a feeder fish. When your green severum grows bigger, it might kill your oscar because its more aggressive than your oscar cichlid. Unless your tank is bigger than 55 gallons, bigger size tank reduces fishes' aggression.

Hope this has helped, Good luck.

Answer 2

Thinking a bit here...

Last time you got a small Oscar - it got eaten. If you keep doing the same thing.. expect the same result.

Next problem - 55gal just isn't enough space for three 12"+ fish.

Seriously if your Severum and Catfish get along OK in that tank, thats how I would leave things. Cramming an adult Oscar in there too is just asking for more bad things to happen.

Ian

Answer 3

What kind of catfish.  If it's a plecostomus you shouldn't have a problem.  If, on the other hand, it's a regular catfish, and 12 inches, it's probably a species that will grow considerably larger, in which case it will eat any smaller fish you put in the tank.  Get an oscar of close to the same size, at least 8 inches.  But then you'd be looking at your tank being too small.

Between the catfish and the severum, which by the way is a relatively peaceful cichlid, you should only add one more large fish.  An oscar would not be a good choice with the severum, nor would a Jack Dempsey.  Angelfish or another severum would be okay.

Answer 4

Oscar's will eat anything or try to eat anything that is even remotly smaller or weaker than them. We has two brother oscars and once they reached about four inches one discovered it was slightly larger and stronger and attacked his brother. And ate him... Im not sure what a severum is, but they do not eat plants... and eat anything smaller than them, once again. If the catfish is bigger, that's good.  Go for the medium ones, so that your catfish will not eat it. four inches or so.

Answer 5

ive never had a green severum but if they think it is big enough to fit in their mouth they will go for it. at least thats my experience. the small one is just going to get bigger if you get him anyway, i learned that too. i have three a tiger oscar a red oscar and a common oscar. a 55 gallon tank is pressing it for size but if they seem to have enough room their prolly good, thats what i have. but if you go to petco tell them you have a 100 gallon or they might refuse to sell you an oscar, thats what happened to me when i told a pet store i had a 50 gallon, they said it wasnt big enough and told me to go home or buy a tank and then if i bought the tank that day they wouldnt sell me the fish either cuz of the 24 hour thing :( stupid right? anyway i think you would be better off buying the large guy just to try to make sure the catfish wont eat him. good luck sorry this was so long.

ADDED DETAILS

if you do have plants (fake or real) if the oscar fish dont like them they will rip them up. also my oscar fish like bananas just a little tip idk if yours will or not. i learned about the plants the hard way. i didnt know why in the morning they were always back at the top floating but i did some research and watched my oscars and it turns out they were ripping them up. they didnt last long until they shredded them. no i only have gravel because every decoration i got was destroyed or ripped up by them. the little ones dont do this they prefer to hide so i thought i might warn you about it if you want to get the big one.