Disappointing weekend setting up tank

[Luvruben]

Hi
I am new to this forum. While I don’t really have monster size fish, I do like large cichlids and forums that discuss them seem to be getting few and far between
I have 2 Lutino oscar fish that I have had for approximately 5 years now. They each have been living in their own 90 gallon and 75 gallon tanks. I did not want to try putting them together until I had a much bigger tank for 2.
Fortunately I found a very nicely priced 8 foot long 200 gallon acrylic tank about 3 years ago. It has been sitting in storage because we had nowhere yet to put it. Until recently when we finally renovated our enclosed patio, got rid of junk, made room, fixed things.
I was so excited I started setting up the 200 gallon tank on Thursday. I am sooooo tired but got it done and set up the already cycled filters I have been using the last few years.
I put both fish in. Almost immediately they want to kill each other and I could tell one was already getting hurt. I have new decor all over so site lines are not clear and they have 8 feet to stay away from each other. But somehow immediately found each other ready to Duke it out
Soooo I did not want to take apart the 200 gallon. I left one oscar in there and set back up the 90 gallon for the other.
I think I’m going to cry. I have been dreaming of this day when they swim side by side in their lovely new tank . Now I have almost 300 gallons worth of tank set up. For 2 fish.
Is there anything else I can try or are they just always going to beat each other up if they are together?
If so I don’t mind so much keeping them separate, but now I’m scared to try other fish in the bigger tank. What if my Oscar hates them too? Then I have 3 separate tanks? Then 4? Etc.
Anyway sorry this post is so long!
Thanks!

 

[twentyleagues]

Try using a divider. You can get a sheet of light diffuser from hd or lowes and depending on tank design attach it. They will beable to still see each other but wont be able to access each other.

That said they are oscars and usually not always though do not get along. You could try to let them sort it out. That has never worked for me. One will be dominant if the other cant accept that he will die. Or you just have 300g for two fish.

 

[Luvruben]

Try using a divider. You can get a sheet of light diffuser from hd or lowes and depending on tank design attach it. They will beable to still see each other but wont be able to access each other.

That said they are oscars and usually not always though do not get along. You could try to let them sort it out. That has never worked for me. One will be dominant if the other cant accept that he will die. Or you just have 300g for two fish.

Thanks.. I was thinking of a divider but that would ruin what I liked about the tank, that it has a decent length to it for swimming
I’m not much of a “let them duke it out” person. I knew Oscars could be difficult together but was hoping it might work if they had more space.
I’m sort of scared to try any other large cichlids in the bigger tank with him, but maybe he would be ok with Clown Loaches? They sort of keep to themselves and I might have enough space for 6 or so.
thank you for your reply!

 

[celebrist]

That's a bummer, I hope you can get it sorted out. Also post in the cichlid section for ideas

 

[Ogertron3000]

Sometimes it's like the fish know your plan and conspire to do the exact opposite.
On the upside you have lots of tank space so lots of options for other species and setups.

 

[Blakewater]

Try adding 2-3 more Oscars to spread out aggression. Some quick dithers like a flagtail and some bala sharks couldn’t hurt either to keep them distracted

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks.. I was thinking of a divider but that would ruin what I liked about the tank, that it has a decent length to it for swimming
I’m not much of a “let them duke it out” person. I knew Oscars could be difficult together but was hoping it might work if they had more space.
I’m sort of scared to try any other large cichlids in the bigger tank with him, but maybe he would be ok with Clown Loaches? They sort of keep to themselves and I might have enough space for 6 or so.
thank you for your reply!

My idea was give it a trial and see if they get used to each other being in the same tank but separated. Once they are acclimated to each other remove the divider. You'll still need to watch them to insure they are not hurting themselves on the divider. Its frusterating. One of the reasons I dont do oscars anymore. I had three that were fine together for almost a year I came home one day and 1 was dead beat by the other two I'd guess or maybe only one of the two? Then a month later the other one was beat to death. When ever I observed them they were fine only very light squabbles most of the time they swam together. I dont really want a single wet pet.

 

[duanes]

Agree with Twentyleagues, if they are 2 males, it may never work. Trying to combine males when mature can be impossible, if you had grown them up together as juvies, that may have.
If you do use the divider method, make sure to put some horizontal and perpendicular pieces, and weigh them down with rocks because oscars are strong enough to easily topple dividers, unless the horizontal pieces are secured with heavy objects. I use zip ties to secure perpendicular pieces for extra stability.


You may have success with non-cichlids, but any cichlid added will be considered a potential competitor.

 

[Matteus]

And clown loaches will be considered as food. It may work for a few weeks or months but oscars grow fast and have huge mouths. I have lost 2 of my clown loaches to an Oscar that now lives with a friend of mine.

unless the clown loaches are 9-10” I wouldn’t chance them with oscars. Or pbass for the same reason.

 

[krichardson]

Try adding 2-3 more Oscars to spread out aggression. Some quick dithers like a flagtail and some bala sharks couldn’t hurt either to keep them distracted

Yep,other fish for them to turn their attention to might help.