Fighting Oscars??

[fishstik]

Hey there everyone! Any suggestions on how to keep my Oscars from fighting?? They need a bigger tank, which I am working on!! But- what to do in the meantime?? One is taking nice chunks out of the other one's side!! EEK! They seem okay, but I don't want these "chunks" to get infected!! They are in a 30 gallon and I have moved most of the plastic plants to the middle to try and let them each have a side, but they still swim around together all the time!!
Let me know if you have any suggestions!!! Thanks!

 

[dattack]

You might consider getting a divider to separate the two.  I think they might sell them at your local fishstore.  I used to have cichlids and I use those cheap eggcrates at homedepot to divide the tank into two sides.

 

[buckmasta]

I know you already tried moving your plants, but try completely rearranging all the decorations in your tank every couple of days or so until you get a new tank. This will make them much less territorial. You can also try going up to the tank and saying "come on guys, stop fighting, that's not cool". good luck.

 

[aspguru]

My suggestion would be to get a new tank ASAP. Like a 55 gal would be reasonable or bigger. I was told never put 2 or 3 Oscars but no less than 6. This is because the others will make life miserable for 1. That way they don't gang up on him.

 

[Oscardude]

Do Not keep rearranging the tank they are territorial so every time the tank is changed they will fight to pick there new  territory.   I would try to keep some feeder fish in the tank if you just have to change your tank for some reason.  That will usually ease the tention.    How big are the fish?

 

[colesea]

Tank divider, one that they can't see each other through.  I would not put feeders in the tank, that could spread disease as well as make an already crowded tank more biologically unstable. I agree with Oscardude too, don't keep rearranging the ornaments. New arrangements mean new territory to fight over.

Even in a larger tank, the dominate oscar might continue to harasses the submissive one. This is normal fish behavior. The best thing you can do is silicon rocks into hidy holes and caves so the submissive fish has somewhere to retreat. The bigger the tank, the better. I had an ex with a 75 gallon tank and two 18" oscars in it. The big albino still went after his tiger now and again. They also had two convicts in there to keep them company and provide distraction, but other than that the tank was bare because they would rip up all the plants.
~~Colesea