I just got home with a about a 5 or 6 inch tiger oscar. Well he doesn't seem to sit too well with my 7 or 8 inch albino oscar. The albino has been picking and biting at him non stop since I got him in the tank. The little guys has already lost quite a few scales to the bigger one. I don't know exactly what to do. Will this stop? Will the big guy just get use to the smaller one until he gets some size on him? I feel sorry for the little one all he does is try to avoid him and but it doesn't work. Any advise would be greatly apperciated!!!! Thanks in advance.
Need help with mean oscar! PLEASE HELP!!
- Thread starter Hiram1982
- Start date
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tomherndon
Aquarium Advice Activist
Oscars don't share, even when they are the same size. You probably need one less oscar OR one more tank. (or maybe a really large tank?) How large is the tank they are in?
Just wanted to add I know the albino isn't hungry. When I bought the tiger I also bought about 30 feeder gold fish for him and the albino I introducted the tiger first then the feeders. As usual the albino has been tearing them up! But the tiger hasn't touched a one even though he has had plenty of chances. He's probley just to stressed out with the move and the aggressive albino.
MichaelsLilGray
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Way to small for 2 oscars... i had 2 in a 125 and the same behavior happened.. you can get a tank divider for now. but it wont help you in the long run. they will bulldoze it over and that will be the end of that. You have one of 2 options.. .get another tank.. to put 1 in.. while keeping your current setup.. or 2 take him back.
PS... And no they wont stop this behavior.. they are setting dominance. and that pecking order will not stop... sometimes you get lucky with oscars.. but its very seldom.
PS... And no they wont stop this behavior.. they are setting dominance. and that pecking order will not stop... sometimes you get lucky with oscars.. but its very seldom.
MichaelsLilGray
Aquarium Advice FINatic
anything that wont fit in his mouth is a good tank mate lol. keep away from any other kinds of cichlids. they are WAY to territorial. Angels are the same way. If you want to, you can add some gauramis.. but keep in mind.. a 55 gallon tank is the bare minimum (some people say 75gallons) to keep a oscar. Mainly because of there eating habbits.. You could also look into bala sharks.. but they will also outgrow that 55 gallon. Id hold off on anything other than possibly plecos or cory cats, until you get a chance to upgrade the tank anyways.
MichaelsLilGray
Aquarium Advice FINatic
4-5 inches i believe. most of the bottom feeders are left alone by predators.. i dont understand why myself lol but i guess oscars in peticular dont see them as a posable threat.
Oscars our tough.. dealing with the same problem now.. but fixing to move everyone to a 110..
What about more than 2 Oscars? Would that help with aggression or make it worse? I've seen 5 or 6 in large tanks.. so just asking!
Thanks
What about more than 2 Oscars? Would that help with aggression or make it worse? I've seen 5 or 6 in large tanks.. so just asking!
Thanks
MichaelsLilGray
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Most of the time with cichlids, people will put in multiple cichlids for one purpose... instead of 1 subordanant.. there are 2..3.. to even out the abuse basicly.. most of the time it backfires on them though and the smaller guys will go into hiding.. wont come out for food.. then die from starvation.. it has its advantages and disadvantages in doing it that way.
MichaelsLilGray
Aquarium Advice FINatic
About you moving them to a 110.. you will still have the same issue.. i had 2 oscars in a 125.. my tiger killed my red oscar. It rarely goes that far.. but my tiger got the red right under the gills and wouldnt let go. most of the time its just a back off bite.. or ramming into the side.. my tiger is evil
Not usually recommended as much either with south american cichlids as opposed to african cichlids. Because most of the SA need more space in general. Even if you do this with either though it still means no body has a much space as they need. As michaelslilgray has pointed out each oscar truly does have thier own personality may not even be happy with an upgraded tank. Either seperate tanks, a larger one, or take him back seem to be your best options.
Ok guys thanks for all the help. I have the two oscars split up, the little guy is doing better. I am going to get him one or two things for the tank he is in now that I didn't have last night when setting him up. I am also going to look for possibly another tank mate for my big albino (not another oscar) Thanks again for all the help.
MichaelsLilGray
Aquarium Advice FINatic
right at 8 months, they hit maturity. thats also when its near impossible to add a new oscar to the tank lol
I have another question. Does anyone have any suggestions as far as pellet food? My big guy eats about 30 goldfish a week (which is usually all in one day) the other days I'll drop a few pellets of HBH OSCAR SHOW Health and Color Formula food that he loves. I just got some Tetra Cichlid Jumbo Sticks he seems to like them but the are really messy. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions as far as pellet food. I have also started getting him a pinky rat which is a baby rat, he LOVES that too.
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