Aquarium fish - astronotus oscellatus

[mr.mojorisin]

I have 2 small Tiger Oscars in my 100 gallon-ish tank.
Both were put in at the same size(approx 2 inches) and the same time, 2 weeks ago. No other fish in tank. Tank has been set up for 2+ years but emptied of fish recently to keep solely Oscars
Now one is about 3-4 inches and the other hasn't grown at all, due to the fact he spends all day hiding from the bigger bullying one.
I've now put a tank divider in the tank and the little one comes out all the time and seems happy. the bigger one,on the other hand,charges at the tank divider when he sees the smaller one,like a caged beast.. grrrrr
anyone had any similar experiences ???
will the tank divider eventually help to placate the "bully" ???
any help greatfully appreciated

thanks in advance

[maca]

there spawning take the divider down and they'll soon calm down....

[wetdog]

oscars are notoriusly terratorial and bullies. some are not to bad some are out and out psychopaths.
a few years back a mate of mine did a similar thing. emptied his large tank and put 2 young oscars in. thinking they will grow up together and be fine.............no!!! one bullied then ate the other. it would not stand for anything in the tank. ripping up plants and throwing around anything that was put in there. but hugely entertaining.

mick.

[andy91]

Had a few Oscars in my time had a big one about 10 or 12 inches long.
They are cichlids so tend to eat other small fish.
Ok to keep them with big angels and plecs and i had aa few botias they were all to big for him or to quick even had a large shoal of cardinals that survived till the botias turned on them etc but they are quarellsome and can dig into the gravel when spawning.
I would find a couple of good hiding places in the tank made of slate or some structure to give the other fish some rest bite.
Mine used to love them frozen cubes of bloodworm.
Changing the water regularly can make a fish grow bigger quickly.

Andy.

[RedSpider]

give the smaller one a pen knife. then see how brave the 'bully' is

[Shady]

tut tut, red, he should be teaching them to ignore the bullies.. bullies onlydo it for attention

[RedSpider]

and the fish will get plenty of hospital attention if he continues to mess with 'Bladey'

[Shady]

oh, so now the wimpy little fish has a tool and all of a suden he's got a nickname, no doubt with some faux legend attached to it.. 'bladey' is a little prik who DESERVES everything hes got coming

[RedSpider]

sometimes the underdog has to tool up.
would david have conquered goliath without chucking stones?

[Shady]

i dont mind a victim using a weapon to gain advantage, its the nickname part i take umbrage with, david wasnt suddenly called 'mega-hard bassad' after taking out goliath,

[RedSpider]

thats probably because he was'nt the first c*nt to chuck stones.
bladey would be the first fish to use a knife so, therefore, a nickname is appropriate

[wetdog]

give the smaller one a pen knife. then see how brave the 'bully' is

before you know it he'll out muggin and lootin etc

micl