Recently I have found that my "pair" of Oscars have decided not to get along. The smaller of the two (8") still seems to like the big one, trying to cuddle an dhang out like they always have, but the larger of the two (11") has recently started bothering the smaller one. Not the usual bullying that I have witnessed, but violent attacks. Flaring the gills, biting, ripping at fins and tearing scales away. The two reside, well, used to, in a 75G tank and I have recently had to seperate them because of the damage caused by the larger one. Have other oscar keepers out there ran in to almost murderous aggression? Could one want to breed while the other is too young? Perhaps they are the same sex, but my attempts to vent them have led me to believe that the larger one is a female and the younger, smaller one is a male. Anyway, I thought I'd get some input from others.
Violenet Oscars
- Thread starter SouthCentral
- Start date
Yep.
Same exact thing happened to me. Exactly as you said it.
The smaller one all of a sudden started taking a huge beating from the larger O. They got along fine for a while.
Eventually, the bigger one ripped of pretty much all of the skin on one side of the smaller one.
I had to separate them. I still have the big one, but put the other one down. I still dont know if she was a female. I'm pretty sure the big one is male. If it was a "she", she had one heck of a wife beater.
Same exact thing happened to me. Exactly as you said it.
The smaller one all of a sudden started taking a huge beating from the larger O. They got along fine for a while.
Eventually, the bigger one ripped of pretty much all of the skin on one side of the smaller one.
I had to separate them. I still have the big one, but put the other one down. I still dont know if she was a female. I'm pretty sure the big one is male. If it was a "she", she had one heck of a wife beater.
I have three O's, and had similar problems. My largest, now 13+ would really beat the crap out of my little guy, now 10+. I made use of a divider, but the big guy would just bust right through. My only solution was a bigger tank. The two now reside in a 120g, but the third has yet to be introduced to them. The behavior you describe sounds a little more like a territorial issue, but then again, I've never had a breeding pair of O's. At best, let the little guy heal up and put him back in. If it happens again... If you are willing to upgrade, I would, otherwise, you may have to get rid of one, or keep them in separate tanks.
Thanks guys, I appreciate it. My little guy will be fine, didn't sustain too much for injuries, but I am wary of putting the two back together when he heals. A 125 would be nice, but I'm on the top floor of an apartment building for the next few months, and am hoping to hold out until we buy a house. I may have to give the little guy a 55G for now.
my two used to fight when they were small and i just divided them up in the same tank for a couple of months and released them back together. they ocassionally flare at each other but thats about it. now i think they are a pair cuz i got some eggs. good luck with it im pretty sure a bigger tank will help. i have both of mine in a 85 gal
The exact thing happen to me. I grew the 2 tiger oscars since 1". Now at 6" and 7" the bigger one wont stop trying to kill the smaller oscar.
At first I redo the decor, move things around, removed everything but gravel. Still the bigger want to shred the smaller to pieces.
Anyway, Now the 2 oscars resides with a 12" male orange red devil. Its Its been going on well for over 6 months now. The bigger oscar is at 10" and the smaller on is at 9".
The funny thing is that the red devil acts as a referee and break the fight between the 2 oscars and the tank looks pretty peaceful, with a little chase here and there from the big red devil.
At first I redo the decor, move things around, removed everything but gravel. Still the bigger want to shred the smaller to pieces.
Anyway, Now the 2 oscars resides with a 12" male orange red devil. Its Its been going on well for over 6 months now. The bigger oscar is at 10" and the smaller on is at 9".
The funny thing is that the red devil acts as a referee and break the fight between the 2 oscars and the tank looks pretty peaceful, with a little chase here and there from the big red devil.
You my have to seperate if this keeps up or your go to have a dead oscar i would try a divider my oscar paired up and they beat the third one all most to death i had to take hom out of my 75gal tank and put him in the 55.
Sicklid,
What size tank do you have those three beasts in? My midas/RD is absolutely psychotic, I have not been able to keep him wth my oscars since he hit 5.5" That would be a sweet tank to watch, seeing the RD break up a fight, rather than be the bully and killing something. I'd love to be able to combine my 3 big boys in a 125G or something, but for now, it's just not happening.
What size tank do you have those three beasts in? My midas/RD is absolutely psychotic, I have not been able to keep him wth my oscars since he hit 5.5" That would be a sweet tank to watch, seeing the RD break up a fight, rather than be the bully and killing something. I'd love to be able to combine my 3 big boys in a 125G or something, but for now, it's just not happening.
I have found that my oscars does not get along with anyother fish no matter what tank size. He only allows the pleco and thats it they are very territorial.