Jade2672
New Member
Our pair of Oscars have suddenly turned against each other (locking jaws, ripping off bits of lips/nose/jaw), this only began two days ago.
Our local aquariums have said this may be due to the loss of their tank mates (other cichlids) - they need distractions.
We were advised to increase the tanks' occupancy with another 2-3 fish, this we have done.
For a very short while the new tankmates have distracted them enough to stop the fighting; but when they notice each other again, they become very agressive (forcing one or the other out of the water, locking jaws and clamping down on the other parties lip - tearing bits off, swimming around each other in very tight and very fast circles as though trying to get to the others tail).
When we switch their tank light out it does help - a little, they go their seperate ways for a short while, then the fighting starts again.
We have spoken to three local aquariums which sell Oscars and they too are confused - these two were a breeding pair (one would lay the eggs whilst the other would guard over them all the time).
When we first 'homed' these Oscars, they had two other large Oscars and 3 giant Parrots to share with (in a 260ltr tank we knew it was greatly over stocked), we watched the Oscars for 2wks before removing the Parrots and 2 of the Oscars (these two were either ignored or chased by our breeding pair).
Due to tank levels yo-yoing we lost our replacement cichlid tankmates (2 wild geophagus and a royal pleco), and were forced to replace them yesterday.
Their diet has not changed (they still wait at the top of the tank for their food at 6pm), the times of day when the lights are switched on/off remain the same, no loud music or noise, no new scents/smells.
We are thoroughly confused! We don't want to re-home one of them with an aquarium, but we are running out of options.
Each day they are in worse condition - bits of them torn and hanging off.
We've put a small measure of Metho' Blue in to try and keep infections at bay, but I somehow doubt it was meant for fish that are mullering each other on a daily basis!
Please can anyone help!
All advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Our local aquariums have said this may be due to the loss of their tank mates (other cichlids) - they need distractions.
We were advised to increase the tanks' occupancy with another 2-3 fish, this we have done.
For a very short while the new tankmates have distracted them enough to stop the fighting; but when they notice each other again, they become very agressive (forcing one or the other out of the water, locking jaws and clamping down on the other parties lip - tearing bits off, swimming around each other in very tight and very fast circles as though trying to get to the others tail).
When we switch their tank light out it does help - a little, they go their seperate ways for a short while, then the fighting starts again.
We have spoken to three local aquariums which sell Oscars and they too are confused - these two were a breeding pair (one would lay the eggs whilst the other would guard over them all the time).
When we first 'homed' these Oscars, they had two other large Oscars and 3 giant Parrots to share with (in a 260ltr tank we knew it was greatly over stocked), we watched the Oscars for 2wks before removing the Parrots and 2 of the Oscars (these two were either ignored or chased by our breeding pair).
Due to tank levels yo-yoing we lost our replacement cichlid tankmates (2 wild geophagus and a royal pleco), and were forced to replace them yesterday.
Their diet has not changed (they still wait at the top of the tank for their food at 6pm), the times of day when the lights are switched on/off remain the same, no loud music or noise, no new scents/smells.
We are thoroughly confused! We don't want to re-home one of them with an aquarium, but we are running out of options.
Each day they are in worse condition - bits of them torn and hanging off.
We've put a small measure of Metho' Blue in to try and keep infections at bay, but I somehow doubt it was meant for fish that are mullering each other on a daily basis!
Please can anyone help!
All advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated!
