Oscars Fighting... how to stop?

[pjsmetana]

I recently rescued 2 Oscars from certain doom (Albino and Tiger), and at 1st they were calm and swimming together no problem with my Red Oscar that is just a little smaller. Yesterday the Albino started bumping into the side of the Red, and the Red is being submissive (which surprised me, as it tore the fins off a Pleco twice its size). Today, the Albino is chasing the Red around the tank and biting his fins. The Tiger just follows the excitement, so its no problem.

Is there any way to get them to settle down? All I can think of is Taking the Albino out of the tank for about an hour, rearranging the tank, then putting him back in.

I only wanted my 150 to be the tank for just my 1 Red Oscar, but I just couldn't see letting someone chuck 2 healthy Oscars into a Koi pond (thus the rescue of the Albino and Tiger). If something doesn't give soon, I'll have to get rid of the recued pair. By that I mean find a new owner for 1 or Both of the rescued pair.

If anyone is in the central or Space Coast area of Florida, and wants a nice healthy Oscar, you can PM me. The Albino and Tiger have been a pair since birth and even sleep next to each other, but I still have no problem splitting them up if you only want 1.

 

[pjsmetana]

....Taking the Albino out of the tank for about an hour, rearranging the tank, then putting him back in...

Well... that didn't work. Soon as I put the Albino back in, he went right after my Red. I don't understand what could be provoking the Albino.

 

[balton777]

Oscars Fighting... how to stop?

I'm not sure, let's call Big John.



Seriously though, some fish are just never going to get along. You will probably have to separate them or maybe trade the trouble maker for a possible non-troublemaker. GL

 

[ccebr]

cichlids are intelligent they dont forget they hate a certain fish very easily. i had a texas in the 'sin bin' (quarentine tank) for 2 weeks to reduce aggression. the second i dropped it back in it went straight after the fish it was terrorising. literally instantly and probably worse than before. tried this twice in the end i gave it up. sometimes thers no way of reducing aggression other than by removing the victim or the bully from eachother

 

[pacu mom]

I don't think they are going to get along, especially since two are friends. Three oscars is just a problem. When we had four oscars in the overcrowded 55 gallon tank, they all got along. When one oscar died, leaving three oscars, there was a shift in the balance of power, and one oscar was picked on. He had to be removed from the tank. When the 300 gallon tank was set up, we moved the lone oscar in with the other two oscars. Even though it was completely new surroundings for all of them, within minutes, the two buddies had the lone oscar by the throat (figuratively speaking), and he had to live the rest of his life alone. Odd numbers of oscars didn't work for us. They had all grown up together as babies.

 

[haynchinook334]

Three oscars is just a problem.

That's your answer. Anything above this number will work. Three isn't the friendliest number for Oscars, but four will work or even two.

 

[pjsmetana]

150 gal tank with 1 Rena Filstar xp4 only supports up to 3 Oscars. Guess I'll look for a new home for the Albino, or both the Albino and Tiger. Anyone interested? I'm keeping my Red.