Why are my two AOs squabbling?

Subject: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:16 am

My two albino Os have been aggressive towards one anouther. They have had little spats before, some pushing and shoving now and then but nothing sireous. Here lately they have been lip locking. One is about an inch and half larger than the other, but there both guilty of starting the crazyness. I dont know if the aggresion is over territory, pecking order or if its a mating thing. The TO was only involved one time that i know of. The AOs were bumping a bit and the TO ran off the smalled AO. The squabbles only last 3-5 minutes and then all three will be cruizing the tank together. I dont know if it matters or not but, the squabbling usually starts when there cruizing the tank and both AOs are the same side of the TO together, but when they cruize with the TO in the middle they seem fine. I got a few pics for you all to see the squabbling. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Ed

If you need any other info please feel free to ask.

o

Banned Posts : 910 Age : 31

What are tankmates????? How big of a tank?? I think you should only have 2 oscars, so I'd remove 1.

Member Posts : 16 Age : 56

Looks like 4 Oscars to me.

Probably wouldn't keep but 2 in a 75 gallon tank.

Most likely is territorial fighting. As juvies they'll be okay with one another but as they mature they'll want more and more room to themselves and the fighting will occur more frequently and more damaging.

Banned Posts : 910 Age : 31

IceH2O wrote:: Looks like 4 Oscars to me.

Probably wouldn't keep but 2 in a 75 gallon tank.

Most likely is territorial fighting. As juvies they'll be okay with one another but as they mature they'll want more and more room to themselves and the fighting will occur more frequently and more damaging.

WOW thats a 75!!!! I would only keep 1 oscar in there.

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:31 am

IceH2O wrote:: Most likely is territorial fighting. As juvies they'll be okay with one another but as they mature they'll want more and more room to themselves and the fighting will occur more frequently and more damaging.

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:41 am

125 gallon 3 Os, 1 six/ inch cat, 1 African Clawed Frog, 1 Jack Dempsey
(I really dont think Im over stocked, but mabey?)
This all started within the last two weeks.

The AOs have been together for life. The TO was added about 4 months later. THey have all been together for about a year now.

I sold the Lepornis this past Saturday.

I sat and watched them last night with the tank lights out far quite awhile. It seems that both the AOs want to by the TO all the time. After an hour or so, the smaller AO moved to the opposite side of the tank to sleep. You thing the AOs are males and the TO is a female?

This morning the plants were moved and theres about a 3 inch diameter of exposed tank bottom. All three were huddle together until they saw me, then they all ate togeter with the JD. (the JDs is healing nicely, body is just about cleared up and the tail fin is growing finally)

Checked water this morning, all is perfect. Temp is right at 80.

Banned Posts : 910 Age : 31

1nevrkwitz wrote:: 125 gallon 3 Os, 1 six/ inch cat, 1 African Clawed Frog, 1 Jack Dempsey
(I really dont think Im over stocked, but mabey?)
This all started within the last two weeks.

The AOs have been together for life. The TO was added about 4 months later. THey have all been together for about a year now.

I sold the Lepornis this past Saturday.

I sat and watched them last night with the tank lights out far quite awhile. It seems that both the AOs want to by the TO all the time. After an hour or so, the smaller AO moved to the opposite side of the tank to sleep. You thing the AOs are males and the TO is a female?

This morning the plants were moved and theres about a 3 inch diameter of exposed tank bottom. All three were huddle together until they saw me, then they all ate togeter with the JD. (the JDs is healing nicely, body is just about cleared up and the tail fin is growing finally)
Checked water this morning, all is perfect. Temp is right at 80.

Ok its not that really overstocked. If I were you I'd get rid of one oscar and keep 1 albino and 1 tiger to reduce territoral problems. Maybe they could be breeding? But I doubt it because oscars would try to chase everyone around the tank. Keep us updated!!
Alex

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:09 pm

Ya, I figured I would have to move one, but I was just hoping somebody knew something that I didnt. Im in denial. lol
I've had these 3 Os for quite awhile now and its tough to pass one on now. My cons are in the 55 and and breed like cons do so thats not an option. Quess Ill start talking with the lfs. I really hate to do that cuz this guy will sell anyone what ever they like regardless of thier tank size or experience. Theres only one other guy that I know in the area that has a large tank and he bought the lepornis Sat, and that maxed out his 75 gal. If any of you will be in my area in the real near future and would like to stop by and pick he/she up, feel free to contact me and he/she can be yours. At least Id know the AO would be cared for then. Thanks for your time all.

Ed

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:54 pm

If you're not sure of the sexes I would say you could have two males vying for the females attention. Some cichlids do lip lock during spawning but you would also see some other signs like waving tails at each other and doing the little shimmy shake...lol. They kind of vibrate very fast almost like a seizure or something. Keep a close eye on them.

I have also separated fish in the same tank by using the plastic eggcrate diffusers (used for lighting) cut to size. Put it in for a few weeks and sometimes when they get back together things are different.

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:08 pm

dirtydawg10 wrote:: Put it in for a few weeks and sometimes when they get back together things are different.

i agree, this method as saved me alot of trouble many times

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:41 pm

The two AOs do twitch before and after the bickering. I thought they were just pissed.

They all are very effectionit towards each other, and even with the JD. They slow down and rub each other as they pass one anouther. The lip locking just started. I checked out some O fights on youtube, but this seems different. Its move like a dance. It dose seem to be violent. They have never been aggresive to any tank mate except for the Lepornis. It would lay low behind a rock or plant and ambush who ever swam by.

Im going to keep an eye on them tonight and post an update asap.

If I do have to seperate them should I seperate the other tank mates as well?

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:53 pm

Two is never a good number to keep unless you have a true pair. Two will normally fight till one is dead. With the correct amount of maintanance a 125 can house three oscars. With Oscars it is hard to tell though because they get pretty rough with each other even when they are trying to pair up. You may have two males fighting for dominance. At this time I would keep an eye on them, make sure damage is not being done. If it keeps up I would be ready to move the aggressor for a while...You maybe able to move it back and try again at another time. I would leave the other tank mates in, leave them alone. Maybe put some target fish in and see what happens. Maybe 3-6 silver dollars that way their aggression is focused towards the SD's opposed to each other.

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:10 pm

Thanks Big Severum Fan, IceH2O, dirtydawg10, mahemaheman85 and Mostlycichlids for you suggestions and help. I will post an update as soon as I can.

Ed

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:40 am

Good News! The Os havent showed any aggression tonight.

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:45 am

Nice, you have changed the decor around as well that might of helped!

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

That sounds like potential breeding behaviour to me.

The big thing to worry about, if it is breeding, is an emergency evac plan for everyone else in that tank. I've had Oscars pair up here once, and they killed off everything else in the tank. They're insanely territorial breeding. Way more insane than normal. Smile

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:45 am

Thanks for the info saint_felony. Hey Congrats on the POTM!

Subject: Re: Why are my two AOs squabbling? Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:00 pm

any updates did they breed?

Why are my two AOs squabbling?

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