Trying to breed

[ericsonstromsn]

I have one JD, an Albino Oscar, and a tiger oscar (in one tank). The JD always nips at the albino just because of the way he is. But the Tiger is always there to defend the albino.

I feel that the albino is a female, and the tiger is a male, because they always swim side by side, and also because the tiger defends the albino.

I have been looking for small fry in the tank, but havn't seen anything. I am new to the breeding process.

*Should i move the JD to another tank?*
*What should i be looking for?*
*Is there a way to tell between M/FM?*

Thanks.

[baytherman]

I don't know the size of your tank but leaving the Dempsey in it shouldn't be a problem. I am assuming you have a big enough tank to hold 2 adult Oscars as well. Provided you somehow have a male and female Oscar, there is no way to tell until one lays eggs and they other fertilizes. Do remember, having a pair of Oscars doesn't mean they will be successful spawners either. 2 females will also act out. Just the way it goes. Good luck!

[ericsonstromsn]

I have a 35 gallon tank. The Oscars are about 5 inches, and the dempsey is about 4. Do you think i will need to get a bigger tank down the road? So all i can do is look for eggs?

[baytherman]

Your Oscars aren't going to be breeding yet if at all. You will need a minimum of a 6 ft tank to house 2 Oscars of adult size. Oscars can and will grow to be 9 or 10 inches in a year sometimes even more. If you intend on keeping them,PLZ consider getting the appropriates sized tank very soon or rehome them for your sake as well as theirs.

[ericsonstromsn]

how many gallons do you think i should get?

[baytherman]

At least 120 long tank.

[ericsonstromsn]

See, my father let me use the tank that i have now, which is a 35 gallon long tank, but when i asked him how many gallons it was he said 55. When i went to the pet store the guy told me it would be fine to house the Oscars there. I found a calculator online that you just put the dimesions in and it tells you how many gallons it has, and it is actually 35, not 55. I want to get a 55 gallon, because i have a 200 watt heater(works up to 55 gallons) and the whisper ex70(45-70 gallon filtration). So i am planning on just buying a 55 gallon tank with a hood, and putting that filter and heater for the 55 gallon and buy a smaller filter and heater for my 35 gallon. What would be the best idea for housing my fish?
My JD in the 35 gallon? and then the 2 oscars in the 55? Or is that still not enough room for them?