I need some compatibility advice

[fish-eyed-fool]

I have just set up a 46g tank. I've got it almost totally cycled (fishless cycle, of course!) and I'm nearly ready to drop in some fish.

Would it be possible to have a couple Jack Dempseys and a couple oscars in there? I mean, would they get along reasonably well in a tank that size? Also, I'd like to get some nice plants to dress up the place, so any suggestions on plant varieties to pick would also be appreciated greatly.

While we're at it, why don't you guys tell me what you would put in this tank if you could pick the fish.

Thanks in advance.

[jonah]

One jack dempsy. 46g isn't enough for a single oscar. :(

I don't know about jacks, but oscars will tear up any plant in the water. If you want plants and cichlids, you might want to try angels or discus or some of the dwarf cichlids like rams.

[Rex Karr]

Welcome to the board. There is one magor fault in your plan. Oscars will reach 14-16" SL. So a 46g is not quit big enough. It is big enough for a pair of Jack dempsey's though. You may want to go with a few smaller cichlids instead. I would try to keep around 4 smaller cichlids such as firemouths, blue acara's, and Festivums.

Rex

[fish-eyed-fool]

[quote:f0a5411422="Rex Karr"]There is one magor fault in your plan. Oscars will reach 14-16" SL. So a 46g is not quit big enough. It is big enough for a pair of Jack dempsey's though. You may want to go with a few smaller cichlids instead. I would try to keep around 4 smaller cichlids such as firemouths, blue acara's, and Festivums.[/quote:f0a5411422]

I had planned on them getting big. I was going to move them into a 55g (or maybe a 75g) when they started getting big.


What about green terrors? How many of those could I fit in there long term?

[Rex Karr]

A 55 is still not big enough. A 75 would be big enough for a single oscar and some smaller cichlids. Green terrors will reach 8-10" usually. So a green terror may be ok in a 55, but a 75 would definantly be better.

[fish-eyed-fool]

[quote:57a0bd9e8c="Rex Karr"]A 55 is still not big enough. A 75 would be big enough for a single oscar and some smaller cichlids. Green terrors will reach 8-10" usually. So a green terror may be ok in a 55, but a 75 would definantly be better.[/quote:57a0bd9e8c]

Well then. Scratch that idea.

What would you recommend?

[Beaker]

I would say you could probably put about 4 fish in there for now. I mix Green Terrors, Dempsys, Firemouths, so a combo of those should be ok. I've heard that some people have agression problems, but if you're careful it can work. Get them young, about the same size, and at the same time and that should help. You will need to put them in a bigger tank though later on, but that's what we all do right? We buy fish that we know will give us a [i:83d66df9b6]need[/i:83d66df9b6] for a new and bigger tank. :) Anyway, stay away from Oscars unless you really have your heart set on them. They have great personality, but they're big and messy too. Kinda how my wife describes me sometimes! :roll:

[fish-eyed-fool]

[quote:9f8a6ff6e5="Beaker"]I would say you could probably put about 4 fish in there for now. I mix Green Terrors, Dempsys, Firemouths, so a combo of those should be ok. [/quote:9f8a6ff6e5]

Thanks! I'll probably stock the tank similar to what you suggested. I'm a huge fan of Jack Dempseys, so I was considering just getting 3 or 4 of them, and then moving 2 of them to another tank when they start getting big. But, a mix of species is always nice to look at.