FIGHTING OSCARS

[Squeeks]

Hi Guys,
I have recently moved my 2 tiger oscars into a larger tank and they have now started to fight, Thankfully not to much. I was wondering if this was due to the natural aggressive behavour or are they territoral? Any suggestions on how to stop them would be great.
squeeks xx

 

[Kyle]

You could always put a seperator in the tank if it's really that bad.

 

[Squeeks]

true but I would like to find a reason for the fighting aswell.
thanks

 

[Kyle]

Are you sure that they aren't just playing? What are they doing, are they actually hurting each other.

 

[Gunnie]

I have 2 oscars in a 100 gal. tank and they fight from time to time. What I've been told about mine was they are both probably males and are fighting for who's in charge. As they get older and bigger, they are less tolerant of another oscar in the tank and fight. Keep a close eye on the fighting, and if they get too destructive where one has serious battle wounds, you may have to put that separator in there or remove one from the tank.

 

[Squeeks]

it's hard to say as they behave when they see me, however when I can sneak up on them, they tend to face each other and open up their mouths in a manner that looks aggressive!
squeeks

 

[Squeeks]

Originally posted by egunsellers
I have 2 oscars in a 100 gal. tank and they fight from time to time. What I've been told about mine was they are both probably males and are fighting for who's in charge. As they get older and bigger, they are less tolerant of another oscar in the tank and fight. Keep a close eye on the fighting, and if they get too destructive where one has serious battle wounds, you may have to put that separator in there or remove one from the tank.

sounds possible, cheers
squeeks

 

[Cichlid-Man]

What size are they now? What size tank?

It may that they are just looking for the dominant fish in the tank.

 

[Squeeks]

they are still growing and are currently about 6 inches long in a 4 foot tank!
Squeeks

 

[wayne]

Might be pairing off, might be two males squaring off. Natural territory for a male discus is at least a 4 foot radius so that tank won't hold two adult males. If you have 2 adult males, one has to go.

 

[Squeeks]

my plan was to put them in a bigger tank later on, but you may be right about spliting them. I'll just keep a close on them in the meantime.
Squeeks

 

[Gunnie]

Yep. Just watch them. If they are pairing off, I don't think you will see any plugs taken out of them from fighting.

 

[Squeeks]

I think I have figured out my oscars behavouir....
I now know why one was getting small wounds on his body. It was caused by him getting a fright from my plecostomus. Sometimes he would not see my plec and would get a fright and dart around the tank and knock into the rocks. Since then I have removed the rocks that would cause harm . I have been watching them very closely and it looks like they are pairing off with mouth locking, tail signals, swimming together and inspecting areas of the tank. If I get any eggs I will let you know!
squeeks x

 

[Desi]

I say you're pretty lucky having got a pair instead of two males fighting for dominance; cheers!

 

[Squeeks]

Yeah I would agree as it would of cost me a fortune to set up another large tank not to mention finding space for it or I would of broken my heart giving one away.
Squeeks x

 

[Squeeks]

hopefully this will work but heres a pic of them

Squeeks xx

 

[Squeeks]

I forgot to mention that they have grown since that pic was taken 3 months ago!
squeeks x

 

[Purple]

yeah - i had a pair that used to behave like that as they got bigger.....real cute aint it - lol

right up to the point where they tried to kill each other - it wasn't pretty

the bigger an oscar gets - the less they are tolerant

unfortunately, you can't tell whether it's breeding behaviour or a kill fest right up till the last minute

keep your eyes open........