a little advice for my two oscars pls..

[Erich]

I have kept two oscars in a 20gallon (1 tiger & 1 red) together since they were 2.5 inches..They were getting along very very well...
About a month ago, I moved them to a 90 gallon (now they are 7inch each).. Recently, they don't get along quite well.
They would open their mouth wide open, facing each other then go at it, like lip-to-lip kissing, but violently, until one catches the lower lip of the other and start pulling...there are a few scars now on both of their lips..
but at least they did not attack each other's body and fins..

any ideas as to y they are doing this?
thanks

[Rudy]

Just a territory power struggle I would suggest. Oscars do this quite often. I wouldn't worry about it at this point unless it gets ugly.

What is you decor like in the tank?

[Erich]

Just two BIG pieces of wood in the center for them to feel safe :)
But they were getting along so well till two-three weeks ago.
and I always make sure both are full and gets equal amount of food..

[Rudy]

Oscars breed at about 8 inches so what is happening is they are sexualy maturing. With that comes the bully part of the oscar. Not saying that your oscars will breed as it does not sound like you have a compatible pair at this point anyway. You never know. Have you vented them?

I would add more decor and try and define two territories. Easiest way to do this is through clay pots.

My guess is that you have either two male, or two females.

Either way it is perfectly normal what they are doing right now. Oscars are the bulls of the cichlid world not overly aggressive just very blunt about getting the point accross.

Good choice by the way I love oscars. What kind are they.

[Erich]

thanks Rudy for all the info...
One is tiger Oscar, the other I think its red oscar...but i don't know..
the whole fish is blonde, with a black outline on the fins and tail.

About giving them their own territories, they always swim and sleep togethr, side by side...its almost like they really enjoy each others company...the only time they are on different ends of the tank is during feeding. I purposely put it pellets on two different ends so they won't flight.

ya, oscar are alot of fun, i have 4 africian in one other tank, and 1 jack dempsey in another, all 5 are not as smart/fun. They are not as entertaining... :( just eat and hide...

[Rudy]

Yep, Oscars are still on of the best household pets in my books.

Good luck with them. If you do have any more problems try to seperate territories. Hopefully you won' though

[madgamer89]

good thang you got a new tank