oscar agression/dominance- help?

**oscarsrule** · 01-28-2009, 08:27 PM

I have 2 young Oscars (not sure of the gender yet) in the same tank. both are between 4-5 inches. one of them, my gray one, named smoke is bullying (chasing alot, nipping aggressively, almost dominant over the other) my other Oscar, named Fire. Fire has lost alot of scales (not too much but a bit) and has white spots where he has lost them. We know it's not a water condition because only one has lost scales, and my parents and I are worried. Is there any way we can divide the tank? (without having to get a separate tank?)

thanks!

**mrs fishpatrick** · 01-28-2009, 08:30 PM

how big is your tank, have you any pics?

**btate617** · 01-28-2009, 08:33 PM

Sounds like maybe the tank isn't big enough for 2 O's. If that is the case the aggressive one may continue until you have one fish. I hate dividers so someone else can chime in on that one, it could work but oscars are big and strong and could possibly move/break a divider. Is it a big tank you have them in, with places for the one getting whooped on to go to and get out of the view of the aggressive one?

Brian

**MCHRKiller** · 01-28-2009, 08:35 PM

First off what size tank is it? I have found when housing Oscars together its best to have groups of 3+ if your trying to have a multiple Oscar tank...but do note that to house 3 oscars you will need a 6ft tank at the minimum, honestly I hate to see any multiple oscars housed in less than a 6fter due to territory and aggression issues that arise from the fish just being to confined. You can buy tank dividers they are sold at petsmart, LFS and etc. They are a nifty little kit and honestly work really well and much easier to setup in existing tanks than trying to do a DIY. Also do note that water quality and diet can also influence aggression. Give us a run down on your tank such as Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate...and what are you feeding the fish? A diet to rich in protein and fat can honestly make some fish more aggressive. It could also just be the personality of your Oscars isnt going to work, and if one fish has lost a fair about of scales the aggression is to bad to keep them together...Id consider potentially re-homing one of them.

**oscarsrule** · 01-28-2009, 08:36 PM

I'M pretty sure it is the size of the tank. its only a 29 gal. I got it for christmas as a complete surprise so i couldn't help pick the tank. I have tried multiple times to convince my parents that we need a bigger tank for them but they dont want to get a bigger one. it makes me kind of upset, but sadly i cant do anything about it.

any suggestions?
thanks

**Northernguy** · 01-28-2009, 08:37 PM

Thats what Oscars do when they start to feel cramped or stressed.
You would need a 150gal. tank to keep them happy.
It sounds like they are having disputes and one of them is losing scales.
You need a bigger tank.If you cannot I suggest you find another home for them.

**btate617** · 01-28-2009, 08:42 PM

In a 29 gal. you sadly are going to be left with one oscar no way around it. You cant divide it and give each 4-5 inch oscar 15 gallons.... won't work. Even keeping one honestly isnt an option in that tank.

Brian

**btate617** · 01-28-2009, 08:46 PM

You could however try to trade them in to your local fish shop for credit. That 29gal could make an awesome community tank.

Brian

**oscarsrule** · 01-28-2009, 08:58 PM

my dad just took the nitrite, nitrate, etc. test on the water

Nitrate: unsafe- over 200
Nitrite- danger- over 10.0
hardness: between hard and very hard- 150-300
chlorine: safe- 0
Alkalinity: moderate- between 40 and 80
ph: between acidic and neutral-6.2 -6.8

Everyday, my dad has been putting in: (directly from bottle)
1.Water conditioner with echinacea, vitamins and anti- virus protection
2. Bacteria supplement
3. AmQuel plus - Removes Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, chlorine, and chloramines

i will also keep dividers and re homing the aggressive fish in mind

thanks!