Oscars... Are They Mating Or Fighting ?

[silver$$$]

Hi everyone,

I have these 2 Oscars both about 5 inches. I raised them in different tanks.

I've just tried to put them together now. Straight away they lock lips all the time.

It looks quite violent to me, but none of them actually tries to move or run away from each other.

So, what do you guys think??? Are they mating or fighting?

How long should I leave this to go on for?

I don't want to find casualty floating the next morning...

Please tell me what you think!!!

Thanks in advance...

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

They are fighting, probably because they are in a too small a tank.

 

[Tolak]

I would say fighting, 5" is small for a mature oscar. If they are in the 100 gallon, provide plenty of places to hide, as one or both may need it. They are probably just figuring out dominance at this point, I would keep a divider handy just in case.

Tolak

 

[voycey]

They are not fighting nor mating

Its a show of strength - just leave them to it, both my green terrors, convicts and firemouths did it. It is to establish dominance in a tank - just like beefy blokes might arm wrestle.

Its a good sight - you wont often see it after the first few times - none of mine do it anymore

What you should look out for is chasing and attacking, I lost a female oscar in a matter of hours due to them attacking her - prolonged chasing is a sign of problems

 

[silver$$$]

Thanks for your replies, guys!!!

They are in a 120 gal tank with lots of rocks & caves for them to hide in.

I left them alone for a few hours, but one of them started to show some bruises, so finally I put a divider on.

It has been over a day now. It's a clear divider, so they can see each other. They do try to attack the divider from time to time. One looks more aggressive now, the other one just swiftly moves away from the divider most of the time.

Do you think I should try again? When? I really want to have these 2 oscars living together in harmony...

 

[freddyk]

If you want two Oscars to live in harmony then it would have been best to buy a bunch of them so that a real pair would form. As it is now you have two oscars used to living on their own, and the fact is that if you have two females you stand a chance, if you have two males then putting them together is wrong, and if you have a male and a female then it will only work if you get lucky and they pair up. Contrary to popular belief cichlids are not friends unless they're mates, though with patience you may be able to establish a sort of truce.

 

[silver$$$]

If you want two Oscars to live in harmony then it would have been best to buy a bunch of them so that a real pair would form. As it is now you have two oscars used to living on their own, and the fact is that if you have two females you stand a chance, if you have two males then putting them together is wrong, and if you have a male and a female then it will only work if you get lucky and they pair up. Contrary to popular belief cichlids are not friends unless they're mates, though with patience you may be able to establish a sort of truce.

I read many articles about sexing oscars, but I still couldn't tell. What would be the obvious things to differentiate males from females?

If I post their pics, would you be able to tell?

 

[Synirr]

I read many articles about sexing oscars, but I still couldn't tell. What would be the obvious things to differentiate males from females?

If I post their pics, would you be able to tell?

There are no obvious differences, which is why people hoping for a pair usually buy around 6 juvies and let a pair form naturally, then return the others.