Aquarium set up for Oscar and compatible fishes

Question
Dear Karen,
I have started the hobby of fish aquarium only two months ago. I have two aquariums (100 L and 130 L).Now I have planned for third tank of 400 L size (75" x 17" x 24"). This is the max possible tank feasible in our flat at Delhi India. I need your help in selecting the fishes for the new tank. I and my whole family love Oscar fish. Already one 5" Albino Oscar and one 4" red devil are in my 130 L tank. Also, I have purchased one black Tiger Oscar (5"), which I will bring once the third gets ready.
I need your suggestion on selecting the tank mates for the black tiger Oscar. Can I keep the Albino one with it? I have read that two Oscars in a 400 L tank may end up with fighting. A school of minimum four Oscars may be harmonious. Need your suggestion.
Thanks
Amit

Answer
Hi Amit,
With the fish you currently have the Albino Oscar and Red Devil and the third fish, the Black Tiger Oscar would do best in the 400 L tank.  

When mixing cichlids it is a trial and error situation. It does help to start all the fish out young and put them together in the main tank all at the same time. It helps them get along much better. But don't be surprised if there are occasional fights. Just keep a close eye on them.  While the more oscars you have makes them more peaceable. It shouldn't be a problem to keep less than four together if the fish are allowed to grow up together.

Tankmates for oscars can be limited according to the oscars individual personality. But on average, keep in mind these two major rules for selecting oscar tankmates-

*Any species that can fit into the oscar's mouth

*Any species that is more aggressive than the oscar

*Always remember the eventual sizes of all the cichlids you already have and make sure to not include too many large territorial fish together.

With this in mind some good tankmates are but not limited to-
   * Pink convicts
   * Convicts
   * Firemouth meekis
   * Pink Kissing gouramis
   * Clown loaches
   * Several species of catfish
   * Several species of Plecostamus (Algae eaters)
   * Severum cichlids

Best of luck and I hope all goes well!
Karen~