Giant oscar.

[ericatdallas]

However, I have 2 Rhino Plecos, 2 Zebra Plecos, 1 Yellow King Tiger Pleco and 1 Red Finned Pleco, all gifts from friends and/or fish farms.

Nice, I would really like some Zebras. Are they a pair? Any chance you're able to breed them?

I also have hundreds of BNs, some long fin, but mostly short fin. I like the short fin more, due to the fact that they can keep their fins up better. The long fins have a hard time keeping their tail fin open.

Because of some sloppy fishkeeping, I lost over 30 BNPs I still have some good sized mature ones that I want to breed once I get my tank running.

I have actually seen Oscars throw plants and decorations right out of the tank. My father kept Oscars and Dempseys.
Oscars have a personality like no other Cichlid.

I think they're pretty smart and enjoyed watching their behavior more than I like watching Discus. One of the downsides for me and why I got rid of them was my wife really wanted the display (living room tank) to look nice. Well,... that's hard to do with Oscars.

[chrisb01]

Nice, I would really like some Zebras. Are they a pair? Any chance you're able to breed them?

No, I wish. I've had them for about eight months, and no playing or interest in each other. But who knows, that might change. And I'd be very happy if it does. I got them as juvies. BTW, they are offspring of a pair from a group of them someone at TBAS got from John (snookn21), a while ago. She gave me those two.

Because of some sloppy fishkeeping, I lost over 30 BNPs I still have some good sized mature ones that I want to breed once I get my tank running.

Great, keep me posted. I would be interested in following your BN breeding project, since that's something I do too. I'm always looking to learn more.

I will be posting some pics of some mature ones that I will put on the market soon. Proven pairs and younger than my breeders, I will always keep my breeders.

I think they're pretty smart and enjoyed watching their behavior more than I like watching Discus. One of the downsides for me and why I got rid of them was my wife really wanted the display (living room tank) to look nice. Well,... that's hard to do with Oscars.

I know, they can make a mess in their tank. No, it's not something someone who likes neatness wants to see in their living room. I agree that Discus or Angelfish would be more suited for that purpose.

I do see your point though. I won't mention names, but I know a very well known Cory and Guppy breeder who says "Discus are the most boring fish" he has ever seen. However, I don't share that view, simply because I like watching Discus move around too, they have a certain aristocratic look to them. But you wouldn't expect someone who has breeded Corys for around 50 years, and who's name is closely associated with Corys, to sit and watch Discus :-)

[TNT77]

Didn't think Snookn21 carried L46s or L98s. I know he sells a pleco he calls a zebra, but it's not a true zebra.

[ericatdallas]

Didn't think Snookn21 carried L46s or L98s. I know he sells a pleco he calls a zebra, but it's not a true zebra.

he said this was a "while" back... maybe before the 'ban'?

[chrisb01]

Well, I have this ones for about 8 months, so I figure the time it took for them to breed... I don't remember being told they were 'wild caught'. snookn21 does carry a lot of wild caught Plecos.

I only go to 2 or 3 TBAS meetings a year, due to distance, though I do pay my dues every year. I know for sure that John (snookn21) is not a TBAS member. However, I can get in contact with the person whom I got them from and get the story straight.

I will also find out when this ban was put into effect. I know someone tried to sell some through the TBAS forum some 5 or 6 months ago, and there was a controversy due to the fact the person said they were wild caught and wanted over a thousand bucks for them. Some members suggested getting an expert to verify that they were wild caught.

I'll get back to this thread with whatever info. I find out, I need to know for my own curiosity too.

[chrisb01]

OK, I went and backtracked the forums at TBAS, and here's the deal with the wild caught. It is not connected to mine. Story was, 5 Zebra Plecos for $1500.00. Male and female 'wild caught' with three F1 juvies. I don't know how the sale went, but I know the seller. Upright and trustworthy. However, a willing buyer was looking for an expert to verify they were really 'wild caught' and F1s. Again, I do believe the seller, I have dealt with the seller before. Very serious and honest person.

But this has nothing to do with mine. I'm not worry if mine are wild caught, they are not going anywhere. Though, 'everything is possible if the price is right.' But I'd like to know where they came from. So we will see.

To be continued...

[chrisb01]

OK, mine did not originate from Snookn21. She got them from Edwin - CichlidStore.com - in Riverview, FL., it was not stated that they were 'wild caught', and she doesn't think so. So much for that :-( Though they are very pretty, I'm keeping them, hope they turn out to be a pair.

Edwin 'is' a member of TBAS, I know him and have spoken to him occasionally, a very nice guy.

[TNT77]

OK, mine did not originate from Snookn21. She got them from Edwin - CichlidStore.com - in Riverview, FL., it was not stated that they were 'wild caught', and she doesn't think so. So much for that :-( Though they are very pretty, I'm keeping them, hope they turn out to be a pair.

Edwin 'is' a member of TBAS, I know him and have spoken to him occasionally, a very nice guy.

Well if they do turn out to be a pair. Be a nice fella and sell some to me for a decent price.

[chiligum]

That's strange, someone says that Jack Dempseys are aggressive?!...Don't they know who Jack Dempsey was?!...Makes you wonder sometimes!
Oscars are the messiest and filthyest Cichlids about IMO, i don't miss mine, shaking it's body and head up and down the glass, attacking the heater etc!
The best introduced fish ever to Florida has to be the Peacock Bass, that has to be one of the nicest looking Cichlids, just a pity they didn't stay small so i could have a few in my tank!