[Cichlidium Newbius]

As my self-given Binomial Nomenclature, Cichlidium newbius, suggests, I am so very new at this. I only have two 10g tanks...one freshwater community and the other (my personal favorite) contains my 4-5 month old Red Tiger Oscar Astronotus ocellatus who goes by the name of Scud....short for Scud Missle (a name given after careful observation of his eratic energy levels). The next project on my wishlist causes me concern, however, due to the fact that I have no idea if the 2 types of fish I would like to include (Discus and bolivian Rams) can coexist. Does anybody have answers to these questions:

1) Can Discus and Bolivian Rams coexist?

2) What sized tank would I need to house at least one mated pair of each type of fish?

3) Could the Bolivian Rams survive in the higher temperatures that Discus need?

4) And any other helpful hints / tips would be greatly appreciated.....

Thanks in advance for any information given.

-Cichlidium newbius- :fish:

 

[peterl]

Not to be rude, but use the search function. All of the questions you ask are answered in depth elsewhere in this forum. This place is a fount of knowledge.

And get at least a 55 gallon tank, preferably larger, for your Oscar.

 

[Fogelhund]

As my self-given Binomial Nomenclature, Cichlidium newbius, suggests, I am so very new at this. I only have two 10g tanks...one freshwater community and the other (my personal favorite) contains my 4-5 month old Red Tiger Oscar Astronotus ocellatus who goes by the name of Scud....short for Scud Missle (a name given after careful observation of his eratic energy levels). The next project on my wishlist causes me concern, however, due to the fact that I have no idea if the 2 types of fish I would like to include (Discus and bolivian Rams) can coexist. Does anybody have answers to these questions:

You wish to read the following article.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/oscar_cichlid.php

A 10 gallon aquarium is woefully inadequate for an Oscar any larger than 2.5". As the article suggests, you are looking at a 4ft 65/75 gallon as the minimum once mature.

1) Can Discus and Bolivian Rams coexist?

Yes

2) What sized tank would I need to house at least one mated pair of each type of fish?

4ft 55 gallon

3) Could the Bolivian Rams survive in the higher temperatures that Discus need?

They should be fine in the 81-82F range, that should suffice for Discus

4) And any other helpful hints / tips would be greatly appreciated.....

Thanks in advance for any information given.

-Cichlidium newbius- :fish:

Read the articles on these fish in the library before you buy any fish. Make sure your existing fish are properly housed, or re-homed before moving on to a new project. Make sure you start out with a tank appropriate for keeping the fish for their live. To ensure a pair, you will either need to purchase guaranteed breeding pairs, or six juveniles of each.

 

[kingpoiuy]

Good post! I had a similar question. Thanks Fogelhund.

 

[Cichlidium Newbius]

A 10 gallon aquarium is woefully inadequate for an Oscar any larger than 2.5". As the article suggests, you are looking at a 4ft 65/75 gallon as the minimum once mature.

Yeah I know. I had to follow that rule about getting the largest tank that you can afford and have room for at the time. Moving him to a 30g this weekend. And i am getting a 55g as soon as I move into a bigger place. Thanks for the info!

 

[kornphlake]

There's also a rule about buying fish that will live comfortably throughout their life in the size tank you have. I have a 55g that has been sitting in my garage for almost a year, I planned on setting it up months ago, but hadn't planned on the garage being too cold througout the winter for wood glue and polyurethane to cure so the stand didn't get built on schedule, then the money I had set aside for filters and equipment was spent on dental and medical bills. Thank goodness I didn't buy any tank busters to temporarily house in a 10g last summer or I'd have to make the choice between food or fish for the next several weeks. For the time being I'd suggest you forget about Discus because they will need a tank that is larger than you have space for. A pair of rams should be fine in a tank 20G or larger.

 

[Cichlidium Newbius]

Well like I said, its on the wishlist. Haha! Maybe one day. I'm up for the challenge. New occurance though....My oscar has devoloped a white patch around the edge of his caudal fin and a big white patch on one side of his dorsal fin. Its not ich and the fin isn't deteriorating, so it shouldn't be finrot. I change the water in his tank often (like 30-40% twice a week). And my water parameters are perfect. His normal energy level has decreased a fair amount and he is just lolly-gagging aroung the tank. he is being very picky with his food now too. I feed him the floating Oscar pellets as the bulk of his diet. He also gets freeze-dried krill, and the occasional live freshwater ghost shrimp (when/if he ever catches it). Am I missing anything out of his diet? Stress from small tank size perhaps? Man....I hate bein a newbie....

 

[edburress]

Bolivians won't do well at the temperatures that discus require, anything above 80 degrees is too high for them, and that is too low for discus. Bolivians are hardy and make a great beginner dwarf cichlid, but you would need a 20g tank for a pair. Apistogramma borelli is a good beginner species suitable for a 10g.

Ed