Oscar And Parrot Cichlid

[afireinside]

So, I noticed that when I came home from vacation, about two weeks ago, one of the fish dug a huge trench by a huge rock we have. The parrot cichlid seems to be guarding that trench, while the oscar is guarding the upper part of the tank. I can't see anything in the trench, so I don't think they laid eggs. I also have no idea of the sex of either fish. What explains this weird behavior?

 

[kribensis12]

Maybe the parrot just expanded his/her's terrioty!

 

[afireinside]

The parrot cichlid dug a ditch to expand its territory?

 

[kribensis12]

Sorry, misunderstood your post! Maybe it is afraid of the oscar and is trying to get away from him? I really dont know, sorry i cant be of any help!

 

[cheesy feet]

Put your hand in the tank, if they're breeding they should both have a go at you.lol

...If you have a pic of the parrot I may be able to determine its sex for you.

Have a look at these pics, the female is the orange one.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Hybrid-F...arrot-Breeding/

 

[afireinside]

Yeah, camera isn't workin well at the moment. But the parrot cichlid would most likely be a girl, right? Aren't male male parrot cichlids sterile most of the time?

 

[cheesy feet]

Yeh, still, they try to breed.
The hemipipenis(soemthing like that anyway lol) is basically pointy for the male but more wider/larger and blunt for the female

 

[kribensis12]

Wait, so are they breeding?

 

[afireinside]

That's the exact question I'm trying to figure out. They could possibly be trying, but I don't know for sure. I was out of the state when they made the ditch, so if they tried I never saw.

 

[cheesy feet]

I guess you will have to wait and find out.

 

[afireinside]

Ok, so I looked today, and I'm pretty sure the parrot cichlid is a female. I almost didn't see anything on the Oscar, so I'm asuming it's a male. But don't take my word on it.

 

[andyourblueblood]

dosnt matter if they were TRYING to breed, oscars can only breed with oscars, and most parrots a fertile. im guessing the oscar owns the top of the tank and the parrot is looking for a safe haven.