Oscar and JD cuddling?

[midmichman80]

I am thinking those two, and I would like to have the pleco in there as well. I like to have some sort of algae eater in all of my tanks, and I have found the more aggressive fish don't bother the pleco as much as other softer algae eaters. I once bought a chinese algae eater and seconds after entering the tank, I saw its tail hanging out of the jack's mouth, a nice $4 meal for the guy. Thoughts on the three fish in the tank, the 55g looks pretty, but the ammonia has yet to spike. I looked at 'stability' to help things along, good idea?

[Big Vine]

Originally Posted by brian1973

saying it doesnt matter one iota, unless you have the scientific proof, is opinion and not fact.

But it's true...it doesn't matter one iota.
I understand what you are saying from a technical standpoint, but in reality I really don't need scientific proof. Show me some oscar x JD crosses and I'll gladly recant my assertions.

BV

[midmichman80]

Ok all, I have transfered my three fish into the 55g tank. With the help of this forum and the people that post on it, my fish have made a big step to happy and healthy life. I asked a lot of questions and got a lot of answer, most of which were consistent. I placed the pleco in the tank first, yesterday evening. I pulled him out of the 29g inside of the cave that he frequents, he was attached to the inside of the cave until i flipped it over and pooled the water in it. I had a five gallon bucket, my fish bucket, half full with tank water that I placed him in, along with the cave. An easy drop into the other tank, still in the cave. The oscar came shortly after, the same bucket procedure was used but I had to net the oscar to get him out of the tank. When I initially put him in the tank, he was very lethargic. I think he was just scared. I watched him closely for some time, 2-3 hrs actually. He eventually swam about the tank, very slowly and was frightened by the small goldfish in the tank with him. Pretty much he hid behind a plant in the corner. I checked the water the this morning and everything looked good, and the oscar looked healthy, just still hiding. I got home from work this afernoon and everything looked good. I checked the water again and noticed that nitrate in my new 55g had jumped from 5-10 to a bit darker than 20. I pulled some water out and did a quick change to dillute the nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite have stayed steady at 0 the entire time. After the water test I decided it was time to get the jack dempsey in the tank. My net was hardly big enough to capture him, but after a bit of sweet talking and patience I finally did net him and used the same procedure with the 5 gallon bucket. When I placed him in the tank, he immediately went to the corner that the oscar had been hiding at. Sure enough, the oscar was over there, and they hung out behind the plant for probably ten minutes. Slowly they came out of hiding and have been extremely active in their new environment. They oscar is still following the jd around and they seem to be dancing. The move together as if they are schooling, then the oscar will stop and the jd will circle the oscar, under then over. This has happened several times since the two have been in the tank together, but the addition of the jd certainly made the oscar more lively. At one point the oscar swam under the jd and its fins vibrated, it seemed to be a part of their dance. Aggression, friendship, more...................? That's the question. Pictures to come within the next few days, borrowing a digital camera from my gf.


Very excited about the new tank!!!!!!!!!!!

[midmichman80]

Ok all, the fish have been together in the big tank for a week now. I check on them periodically and there is little movement in the tank. Jack hangs out in his tube and vinny in his plant on the other side of the tank. Vinny will venture over to jacks side of the tank occasionally, and when he does, he is usually greated by jack. Jack will come out of his tube and him and vinny will hang out behind it near a piece of slate, leaned against the tube on one side and the gravel on the other to create a hideout underneath, while keeping a flat surface on top. Jack will hang out on top and vinny below, which is closer to jacks tube. Eventually, the both of them will head into jacks tube and hang out in there. I have seen vinny in that tube with jack quite often and usually for long periods of time. Obviously, jack has claimed the tube as his territory, he doesn't make it to the other side of the tank very often, but he keeps letting the smaller vinny into it, with no penalty. I understand jds aren't the most aggressive fish in the tank, but he should protect his territory. Has vinny pulled rank and and become a brute, he show no sign of aggression either. For a little bit last night all three, the pleco, jack, and vinny were hanging out in the tube, the pleco eating of course. They still do their dance and never have I seen a real aggressive move from either. The other day, jack actually had vinny's head in his mouth, his entire head!!!! He didn't bite, no scrape or cut on vinny, vinny didn't even swim away fast or turn on his side defensively, he just sat there and go closer to jack. Not sure what it is all about, pretty cool stuff though, IMO.

[silver dollars]

Originally Posted by brian1973

What does the behavior mean? who knows.

BV,
I agree with what you said for the most part, I did do some research and fish can cross breed within the same family, of course there is alot more that goes into crossbreeding than just belonging to the same family so it is unlikely, but there are common hybrids both in the wild and on the current market so saying it doesnt matter one iota, unless you have the scientific proof, is opinion and not fact.

added link for opinions on hybrids. Cichlid Research Home Page: Hybrids

Just because they can cross breed doesn't mean that the eggs will hatch. They could end up like parrot cichlids and not be able to produce fry. For now i think that the oscar and jd will be fine but soon they will out grow the tank and you will need to get a bigger one.

[midmichman80]

A bigger tank? 55g isn't enough? I have seen many full grown oscars in a 55g with other occupants. I think I have enough tank, and I have been pricing out large tanks, they aren't cheap.

[brian1973]

Originally Posted by silver dollars

Just because they can cross breed doesn't mean that the eggs will hatch. They could end up like parrot cichlids and not be able to produce fry. For now i think that the oscar and jd will be fine but soon they will out grow the tank and you will need to get a bigger one.

There are numerous accounts of parrots mating and having fry. I never said they would reproduce I said scientifically speaking it is possible for fish to spawn that are in the same family. There are numerous postings in other forums of oscars spawning with other fish but none have produced fry.

[big54bob]

Originally Posted by midmichman80

A bigger tank? 55g isn't enough? I have seen many full grown oscars in a 55g with other occupants. I think I have enough tank, and I have been pricing out large tanks, they aren't cheap.

you will be fine by all stocking rules. Hey thats the stocking for my 55gal but may ditch the JD for a sal, Texas, or GT

[midmichman80]

I thought 55 was enough for those fish. I went out garage saling today and bought another 55g for $25, thought it was a heck of a deal and had to pick it up. Now, get that thing cycled and maybe set up a smaller fish habitat. Was thinking of going to the dark side and trying out a saltwater set up too. Just happy to have gotten such a great deal on it.

[AlyKat]

Wow, that really IS a great deal!! Both of my 55's were used...got 1 off Craigslist with stand, hood, light, gravel...everything for $65...THAT was a good deal too...got the other free from a friend of a friend...can't go wrong as long as you clean everything really well!