How do I get an Oscar to stop laying eggs?

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Fry

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Nov 24, 2005
1,725
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New York
My Oscar is a little over 2 years old. A little more than 12.5" TL, she started laying eggs on a piece of slate 3-4 months ago and has done it 3 times. The 3rd time being last night. She lives alone in a 50G (36x18x19) and is fed primarily TetraCichlid Jumbo Sticks, sometimes supplemented by live crickets and night crawlers. Every time she lays eggs, she refuses to eat and tries to attack anything around, eventually the eggs get moldy and she doesn't protect them anymore, then I siphon them out. I want to get her to stop laying eggs. I think she is pretty well fed, at least in the quality of the food so she is conditioned for laying eggs. The only decor in the tank is gravel and few pieces of slate. Perhaps I should take out the slate or feed different foods?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.
 
Fry;1024540; said:
My Oscar is a little over 2 years old. A little more than 12.5" TL, she started laying eggs on a piece of slate 3-4 months ago and has done it 3 times. The 3rd time being last night. She lives alone in a 50G (36x18x19) and is fed primarily TetraCichlid Jumbo Sticks, sometimes supplemented by live crickets and night crawlers. Every time she lays eggs, she refuses to eat and tries to attack anything around, eventually the eggs get moldy and she doesn't protect them anymore, then I siphon them out. I want to get her to stop laying eggs. I think she is pretty well fed, at least in the quality of the food so she is conditioned for laying eggs. The only decor in the tank is gravel and few pieces of slate. Perhaps I should take out the slate or feed different foods?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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If I were you Id get her a mate!!
to being givin the trophy for first to breed in a home aquarium
:D
 
Bsixxx;1024546; said:
If I were you Id get her a mate!!
to being givin the trophy for first to breed in a home aquarium
:D
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't have the tank space. She is a beautiful specimen too, I would easily let someone take her off my hands for breeding if the person has the right tank and will take good care of her.
 
You can't just stop a natural process.

That's like asking a woman to stop having her period monthly.
 
You could lower the temperature that might kill the urge off a bit.;)
 
Right - lowering the temp. will invite other problems.
 
santoury;1024574; said:
That's like asking a woman to stop having her period monthly.
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I did it once. I asked. Then I got hit.
 
I've always thunk of sniping off thier breeding tube! Cruel, yes. But I've only ever thought about it. Dont think I could do it.
 
Mystix - Go ahead, and I'm sure that some of US will snip off YOUR breeding tube!
 
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