[MoneyMitch]

so right now jsut got my 55 set back up, plenty of rocks wood and soon plants, all the fish are pretty young the largest is about 4". theres a t oscar a acei a few yellow labs a powder blue soemthing or other jewl and a pleco. plan on getting a few more jewls and acei's. everyone gets along for the most part for now except at feeding the oscar chases everything away untill he gets his fill then the other fish are able to eat. anyone see any issue besides tank size later down the road?

[AndrewM21]

Originally Posted by MoneyMitch

so right now jsut got my 55 set back up, plenty of rocks wood and soon plants, all the fish are pretty young the largest is about 4". theres a t oscar a acei a few yellow labs a powder blue soemthing or other jewl and a pleco. plan on getting a few more jewls and acei's. everyone gets along for the most part for now except at feeding the oscar chases everything away untill he gets his fill then the other fish are able to eat. anyone see any issue besides tank size later down the road?

Aside from the tank size, plants. Plants are generally a thumbs down when it comes to cichlids as they will dig them up consistently. The only real way to keep plants is to pot them and weigh them down very well.

[Tazman]

The issue here is you are mixing African with South American fish which require different water parameters.

Oscar will likely constantly harass the other fish all the time at feeding, to the point it may stress the other fish too much, leaving them open to illness.

[jeaninel]

Not only is the difference in water requirements an issue, but generally African cichlids require a diet rich in vegetable matter whereas Oscars require a higher protein diet. So trying to feed to satisfy both may be an issue. Africans are prone to bloat if they have too much protein. Someone correct me if I'm wrong as I mainly keep American cichlids.
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[jeaninel]

Also, Oscars will outgrow a 55 gallon.
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[MoneyMitch]

thanks for the imput, as far as feeding goes i have three types i alternate between on a regular basis one day this other day that etc etc. i have realiively hard water which is what i thought africans and oscars both rpeferred?

[AndrewM21]

Originally Posted by MoneyMitch

thanks for the imput, as far as feeding goes i have three types i alternate between on a regular basis one day this other day that etc etc. i have realiively hard water which is what i thought africans and oscars both rpeferred?

Oscars should be kept at a pH of around 7.4-7.6 while Africans should be kept at around 7.9-8.2. You can not satisfy both needs in the same tank. Africans also prefer water temperatures of around 82F while Oscars prefer lower temperatures in the range of 73-75F.

I keep my Peacocks at a pH of 8.0 and my Mbuna at a pH of 8.2.

[MoneyMitch]

Originally Posted by AndrewM21

Oscars should be kept at a pH of around 7.4-7.6 while Africans should be kept at around 7.9-8.2. You can not satisfy both needs in the same tank. Africans also prefer water temperatures of around 82F while Oscars prefer lower temperatures in the range of 73-75F.

I keep my Peacocks at a pH of 8.0 and my Mbuna at a pH of 8.2.

wow what a mistake i made then =/ not really sure what to do with the oscar at this point as im not ready for a seond aquarium and the store that sold him along with africans knowing they would go in the same tank also said it would be ok. is ph a HUGE diffrence? or does it just put the fish at more of a risk of illness? might just ride it out and see what happens so far he seems pretty happy and is always at the tank to greet whoever is there. (and yes the tank is in the middle of cycle)

[AndrewM21]

Originally Posted by MoneyMitch

wow what a mistake i made then =/ not really sure what to do with the oscar at this point as im not ready for a seond aquarium and the store that sold him along with africans knowing they would go in the same tank also said it would be ok. is ph a HUGE diffrence? or does it just put the fish at more of a risk of illness? might just ride it out and see what happens so far he seems pretty happy and is always at the tank to greet whoever is there. (and yes the tank is in the middle of cycle)

Inadequate water parameters will put additional stress on the fish which is return will weaken their immune system and make them more susceptible to diseases/infections. [NEVER] (I mean NEVER) go on the word of a fish store employee, they are there for one purpose, to sell fish. They will tell you what you want to hear in order to sell you that fish and make that money. Always do your research prior to purchasing a fish, I know sometimes it's hard but if you see a fish you like, go home and look it up! See if it's compatible with current tank mates and water parameters, then come back and purchase it.

My opinion would be take the Oscar back and get a store credit.

[DenisesRotties]

First, is a Spotted African Leaf Fish a Cichlid? If it isn't does anyone know if the African Leaf Fish can make it in a tank with Cichlids, specificly with Oscars and or Electric Blues?