Tiger Oscar Agression

[K9cop92]

Hi,
I have a 75 gal. setup with two small tiger oscars (3") and a small pleco (2.5). The tank has been running for over a month and populated for almost two weeks. All fish were added at different times with only a day or two difference between them. Nitrates and nitrites are at 0, ammonia 0, and ph has been 7.4 to 7.6. Water temp is 76,77 deg. I have been noticing that the albino tiger has been progressively agressing towards the black tiger and when I got home today they were full on at each other. The albino tiger is constantly nipping at the black tigers sides and has resulted in some nasty scale loss. They are now locking up head to head with damage to the albino tigers mouth and forehead area. I've read several forums stating that this may indicate things from spawning to territorial agression as they are not a mated pair. One forum stated that these tigers do better in groups of three.There is plenty of room in the tank with several nooks and crannies and caves through a large driftwood stump. They have been on a steady diet of pellets and ocassional crickets one to two a week. I'm afraid that the albino will eventually kill the black tiger as the agression has stadily increased. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[knifegill]

Forget about the aggression. You need a new test kit, or you need to reread the instructions.

 

[Gruff Master]

They are too young to breed so their fights are more likely territorial. You could try moving around the deco to disrupt any set boundaries. But this doesn't always help. Another option is to add some larger schooling fish to help ease the aggression between the two Oscars. If all else fails you may have to remove one Oscar in favor of the other before one is killed. I wouldn't add another Oscar unless you have plans to get a much larger tank. A 75 is the bare minimum for a single adult O, much too small for 2 plus.

 

[K9cop92]

What do you mean by needing a new test kit, or re reading the instructions. Thats what the readings have been consistently since set up with the lowest ph at 7.2 yesterday after running a DIY Co2 for one week. I'm using an API freshwater master test kit and confident in my ability to use it. Why do you feel these numbers are off, aside from a slightly high ph?
Gruff, thanks for the info.

 

[knifegill]

How are you achieving denitrification then? You should normally see a number for nitrates.

 

[cmsbthebest]

7.2 isn't high for pH, and your tank has to have nitrates, even though their small 2 oscars and a pleco will create some nitrates, just like every other fish.

 

[PDRed302]

I'd sugest some dithers like silver dollars but I have to agree with one of the above posts, 75gal is just too small for two oscars.

 

[cacichlids]

7.2 isn't high for pH, and your tank has to have nitrates, even though their small 2 oscars and a pleco will create some nitrates, just like every other fish.

If you read his post you will notice he mentioned a DIY co2 injection system. Nitrates can be undetectable in established planted tanks.