Oscar fighting or breeding?

[Cheesyclop]

This started about 2 or 3 weeks ago by now but I have had these Oscar’s in a 120 for about 10 months to a year now and everything has been great. About 2-3 weeks ago the larger red Oscar started fighting the lemon and beat it up pretty good. I removed the aggressor and put in a “time-out tank” while I went a little over board in adding a bunch of visual blocks and decor in the main tank. I put the aggressor back in the tank and instant fighting again. I have a 180 I’m currently building a stand for. Will the larger tank help with aggression or do I need to rehome or is this breeding?

 

[tlindsey]

Will the larger tank help with aggression or do I need to rehome or is this breeding?

If 2 of the Oscar’s has paired off you will need to separate the harassed Oscar.

 

[tlindsey]

Have you noticed one of the Oscar’s moving ornaments or sand? Have you noticed shimmering of the body or lip locking of the 2 that's getting along?

 

[Jexnell]

Oscar's don't come to a breeding age till a year and a half old. How old are your Oscar's?
Female cichlids test the male in fights. If she can best him, then he is not worthy.
To me it seems to be a simple territory fight. Having three Oscar's in such a small size tank only ask for fights as they come into adulthood and a need for territory becomes instinctual.

 

[Cheesyclop]

Have you noticed one of the Oscar’s moving ornaments or sand? Have you noticed shimmering of the body or lip locking of the 2 that's getting along?

I haven’t noticed any sand or decor being moved. Neither fish have shown any interest in the smaller tiger Oscar.

 

[Cheesyclop]

Oscar's don't come to a breeding age till a year and a half old. How old are your Oscar's?
Female cichlids test the male in fights. If she can best him, then he is not worthy.
To me it seems to be a simple territory fight. Having three Oscar's in such a small size tank only ask for fights as they come into adulthood and a need for territory becomes instinctual.

The red Oscar is about 2 years and the lemon and smaller tiger around about 1 - 1 1/2 years. I’ve had severums pair off and breed in the past but this seemed pretty violent and seemed more like aggression than anything.
Do you think the larger 180 gallon tank will help with territory? I have plans to go even larger but that’s going to take some time

 

[Jexnell]

The red Oscar is about 2 years and the lemon and smaller tiger around about 1 - 1 1/2 years. I’ve had severums pair off and breed in the past but this seemed pretty violent and seemed more like aggression than anything.
Do you think the larger 180 gallon tank will help with territory? I have plans to go even larger but that’s going to take some time

I would move two of them into the 180 and leave one in the current tank. Preferably the two that get along. The odd one out seems to be competition for the others.

 

[FINWIN]

Honestly when I first saw this setup I thought you were lucky to have 3 oscars in that tank size for as long as you have . Can't imagine your wc schedule trying to keep that bioload under control. I felt it was just a matter of time before it went sideways but I didn't want to come across as a know it all.

Not enough space or water per oscar. They're just maturing (even the oldest one). Juvie personality and temperament is different than adult temperament. My own Oscar went through a killing phase at that age range but mellowed out past 3 as full adult. I can only emphasize they don't like being crowded, even with smaller fish. Bad things happen...your situation may have been brewing for some time. They may tolerate crowding for a time but once they hit that "adult spot" it's over. I've found out the hard way that things can look 'peaceful' with cichlids until it isn't. But I've gotten better at reading the warning signs.

I'd agree with splitting them up. The O you have in the healing tank I'd put in a few round rocks and some silk plants to reduce stress while recovering. Just a suggestion.

 

[Cheesyclop]

Honestly when I first saw this setup I thought you were lucky to have 3 oscars in that tank size for as long as you have . Can't imagine your wc schedule trying to keep that bioload under control. I felt it was just a matter of time before it went sideways but I didn't want to come across as a know it all.

Not enough space or water per oscar. They're just maturing (even the oldest one). Juvie personality and temperament is different than adult temperament. My own Oscar went through a killing phase at that age range but mellowed out past 3 as full adult. I can only emphasize they don't like being crowded, even with smaller fish. Bad things happen...your situation may have been brewing for some time. They may tolerate crowding for a time but once they hit that "adult spot" it's over. I've found out the hard way that things can look 'peaceful' with cichlids until it isn't. But I've gotten better at reading the warning signs.

I'd agree with splitting them up. The O you have in the healing tank I'd put in a few round rocks and some silk plants to reduce stress while recovering. Just a suggestion.

I knew this tank is way too small for any long term situation. Even the 180 that’s going to be set up soon is going to be too small for them. I have plans to build larger for them but that never happens fast enough.

Now that the aggressor has been out of the tank for some time both of the other Oscar’s have colored up much more than they ever have. I’m not sure how I never realized they were dull and not colored up. Also thinking about it the aggressor always stayed by itself and the other 2 were always together. Not sure how I never connected the dots.

Im going to keep separate for now and possibly see if I can find someone local to rehome one to if not I’ll try again in the 180 or just wait till I build larger.