Oscar Pairing Up

[Saguru16]

Hello,

I have been reading sites and now I need help to fully understand what is happening.

Thank you for reading.

I have bought two Oscars a few month ago, they were always swimming side to side even at the pet store. (they were in separate tanks but they swam beside each other on by the Plexiglas.) Anyhow ever since we got them (est size:1 1/2 inch)they would stay together in the 55 gallon tank. Now and then they still do about 85% of the time. (Size now: 4-5inchs) Other times they are off alone by them selves. I been noticing about 2-3weeks ago they would swim together and vibrate their caudal fin like crazy on each other and on random objects. The one Oscar will sometimes chase the other Oscar which has a few scars now from being bit I guess. Their bodies both of them sometimes what I feel would like spaz out on the ground I guess cleaning the sand here and their off to the glass about 1 or 3 inch semi oval shaped or they will use their pelvic fins on the flat rock surface. I also noticed my one Oscar spiny dorsal fin would lower while the soft dorsal fin would shake around like crazy and s/he would swim to the bottom and rub around on the sand or flat surface. I also been noticing a few short lip locking sessions. oh another thing I seen them do is rub their whole body on my large castle where my catfish hides and attack any fish coming near the area. I was wondering if they are pairing up to mate and how long will it to be to I see eggs if they are? I am rather nervous my one Oscar will die since every day I see a new scar on s/he body (they are small but still i worry.) oh and yes their are times they are on the complete other side of the tank one swimming up top and the other one on the complete other end swimming close to the sand at one corner.

 

[minxfishy]

Whilst it does sound like pairing behaviour, it can also be aggressive behaviour and only if/when they pair up or fight will you know the difference. Oscar needs to around 8" and 18 months old in order to breed, so at 4" yours have a way to go yet, that doesnt mean that it isnt pairing behaviour and rubbing each other, cleaning an area, shimmying etc are all signs, but if they do, it will be some time yet before you see any eggs, if at all, only then if you see them spawn will you be able to tell their gender from their breeding tubes.

Also a 55g tank isnt big enough for two fully grown Oscars, normally a 75g is recommended, however, if you do end up with a breeding pair, a 75-100g will be sufficient for them.

 

[Saguru16]

Whilst it does sound like pairing behaviour, it can also be aggressive behaviour and only if/when they pair up or fight will you know the difference. Oscar needs to around 8" and 18 months old in order to breed, so at 4" yours have a way to go yet, that doesnt mean that it isnt pairing behaviour and rubbing each other, cleaning an area, shimmying etc are all signs, but if they do, it will be some time yet before you see any eggs, if at all, only then if you see them spawn will you be able to tell their gender from their breeding tubes.

Also a 55g tank isnt big enough for two fully grown Oscars, normally a 75g is recommended, however, if you do end up with a breeding pair, a 75-100g will be sufficient for them.

Thank you, Yeah we figured it wouldn't be big enough when they are fully grown, we just used it since they were some what babies when we bought them, we figured in time we will get them a 300 gallon only because we are keeping 2 other fish with them so they have enough room but we figured for now them two should do just fine Hopefully they are going to pair it would be nice to watch them from a egg to an adult. Thank you again for answering some questions for me.