The first surprise is Astronotus ocellatus cichlid, or the “Oscar, Tiger Oscar or Peacock Oscar” as it’s also called. It grows up to 30-45 cm (12-18 in) so it’s a large fish! It’s not an aggressive fish but eats aggressively. Maybe that’s why it’s gotten it’s reputation for being aggressive. Or if it’s kept in a single pair or two. But it’s not! The Oscar is a schooling fish, believe it or not, and should be kept in a group of minimum six individuals. Preferably eight, would be ideal. They will show their natural behaviour in this group and you will not be disappointed!
It is widely spread throughout Rio Amazon & Rio Orinoco and tributaries and Rio Negro. These river basins are a complex of waterways that include Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
As you can see here the Oscar is more red I colouration in these parts of Suriname and French Guyana.
The second surprise is a real rarity in the trade. The Chaetobranchus flavescens is a 27 cm (10,4 in) cichlid and that eats only plankton. It’s very RARE in the trade. It has no common name. A beautiful fish and very peaceful. It should be kept in pairs. Although, a large fish, it doesn’t need the same space as normally a fish of this size does.
It inhabits Rio Negro, Rio Guapore, Rio Orinoco, Brazil, Peru, Guyana, Suriname & French Guyana.
Third surprise on this tank setup is Geophagus surinamensis, or Surinamensis Eartheater Cichlid, that grows up to 20 cm (8 in) is a RARE Geophagus in the trade and originates from Suriname & French Guyana, hence the scientific name. As with Geophagus species, it needs to be kept in a school of minimum six individuals. They can be a bit more aggressive then other species of the genus. It is one of the most beautiful and most sought after in the Geophagus genus.
Cleithracara maronii, reaches 11 cm (4,4 in) the Keyhole Cichlid. It’s a really cute cichlid but also quite pretty when it’s matured. I love this schooling fish. It needs to be kept in a school of six minimum.
It lives in Rio Maroni, French Guyana, Suriname, Rio Orinoco, Venezuela and possibly in Trinidad as well.
Another schooling fish to add is Hemigrammus rodwayi 5,5 cm (2,2 in) the Golden tetra which inhibits Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru & Brazil. It is thicker bodied and a fast swimmer and will work well in this setup. The Oscars need to be feed and while the are growing up it might work wonders, but you never know. The tetras may be left alone or maybe not. Keep close attention on this. I had Black Widow Tetras with my Oscars and it worked beautifully. You never know. As I said, it might work wonders.
For the cleaning crew I would use Corydoras.
Corydoras filamentosus is a RARE species and as all of these Corydoras, they’re inhabitat, is exclusively in Suriname.
Corydoras geoffroy, is one of the largest species 180cm aquarium needed aggressive and the only on this list that not just inhabits Suriname but also exists in French Guiana. If you choose to have these in your tank, don’t buy any of the other Corydoras species on this list. And you also will need a tank that’s 180 cm (6 ft) in length to hold the aggregation as low as possible.
And we need a Pleco too, don’t we! How about Pseudacanthicus serratus. It reaches a total length of 35-40 cm (14-16 in), and lives in the Rio Maroni in Suriname.
What a cool Suriname fish tank!
As an add on instead of Tetras, comes the fourth and final surprise! You could have Acestrorhynchus falcatus, the “Red Tail Barracuda” which is not an aggressive fish, but a predatory fish and only eats what’s fitting in their mouth. It reaches a length of 25-30 cm (10-12 in) and it’s a schooling fish of at least six fishes. It inhabits Rio Orinocco, Amazon rivers, Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana.
Well then, we are done!
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The Aquatic Studio! 
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