feeding ocars and dressing the aquarium

Question
I GOT A 10 GALLON TANK WITH 3 SMALL OCARS WITH NOTHING IN IT. WHAT SHOULD I DRESS THE AQUARIUM UP WITH? REAL CORRAL OR WHAT? ALSO WHAT DO I FEED THEM? WHAT KIND OF FOOD? DO I NEED SNAILS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF FISH?

Answer
Hi Alphonso,
  Definitely do not put coral in there. Oscars are freshwater fish that come from acidic waters and coral will make the water hard and alkaline.  Put some wood and plastic plants in there.  I avoid snails entirely.  

  Any other fish you put in there will end up as food for the oscars.  Speaking of which, are you aware that an adult oscar is 12 to 16 inches long?   You will need a MUCH larger tank for those fish, i.e., something like an 80 to 100 gallon tank would be about right.  They can reach adult size, if they are fed right and well cared for, in a little over a year.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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