buddies or mates?

[Poet8102]

Hey guys

Maybe you all can help me out with this one. I have two Oscars in a 90 gal tank but they started out in a 29 gal. They were in the 29 for about 3 months. One was about 2.5 inches long and the other was about 3 when I got them. The have grown about two inches each so they are at the most 4 and 4.5 inches in length, wich leads me to my question. Since I got them they have not been more that 6 inches away from each other. I have never seen them fight or tussle or pick at each other once. Not that I am looking for this behavior but the lack of it leads me to believe that I have A. a breeding pair or B. just two oscars that are extremely good friends. But if the second option is the case why do they pick on my poor tiger pleco and my blue acara when ever they come out.

I don't know and this is kinda nagging at me so any suggestions or ideas would help.

Thanks in advance

Les

[Rudy]

I can only offer that Oscars are not sexually mature until they are at least 8 inches.

Could be just picking on the others. Is that all you have in your tank and it be just a pecking order.

[Poet8102]

I also have two pictus cats. One of the reasons that I am so dumbfounded is that I know that they can't be anywhere near being sexually mature, but why would they be so buddy buddy. I mean they never separate.

[Rudy]

That to tell you the truth seems to happen to a lot of oscars. Once they hit sexual maturity that could all change.

[Karl]

i used to have 2 albinos about 8-9 inches each and they were the same exact way. I guess just oscars are one of the cichlids that can do this normally.

[Rex Karr]

I've never had Oscars so I can't offer any real advice. But, even though they aren't sexually mature, maybe they can and will still pair up at a younger size.

Think about it. Its common knowledge to buy a large group of small cichlids and raising them until a pair forms and selling the rest. And this is often recommended for Oscars inparticular. The "Oscar Pros" can't really expect someone to keep 6-7 Oscars in their 90g until they are 8"+ can they?

I don't know. It just seems to make sense. But like I said, I've honestly never kept Oscars. Although I have kept every other American imaginable (and plan on buying several Oscars soon).

Good luck

[Poet8102]

Thanks guys for all your help. I just found it strange because I know how territorial cichlids are.