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Are my Oscars about to mate?

2K views 14 replies 4 participants last post by  Jay702 
#1 ·
Im sure this has been asked many times. I would appropriate some input from others. I have never been in this position with oscars so im a little confused. I been trying to read up on Oscars behavior when about to mate. and so far they have done all except "lock jaw"..From what I been watching them do, Pull gravel and move it around (which I know oscars do normally) They shake/quiver near each other back and forth and being protective towards the tile..

I read I should place a smooth surface/Rock so I placed a tile and covered it with gravel. When I came back from work they had moved most of the gravel off the tile, so I sat down and watched them for a few hrs and recorded it. I placed a divider so I could have more control over the situation. The tank is a mess since I was going to move them over to the new tank but didnt want to interrupt or stress them out if they are indeed about to mate.So im not moving them to the other tank till i get some help. please let me know what you think.

Heres the video

Are my oscars about to mate? - YouTube
 
#2 ·
looks like you got yourslf a pair bro!looks like the common rituals before mating.i dont think all oscars lock jaws before mating,or maybe its just that they are already past that stage.the one thing that you have to look for are thier oviposter < ? or egg and sperm tubes.usually comes out of the anus...gonna look like worms comin out thier bottoms...anyway,the female usually has a larger one to pass eggs through..also try doing a 20% water change.that might get them in the mood ;-)..well good luck ,aloha.
 
#3 ·
Awesome.. Good to hear.. just sucks I have to put all the fish in the new tank.. guess i'll have to leave the oscars in the 125Gal. going to have to remove more then 50% of the water cuz we wont be able to move it lol.. so I hope it doesn't mess up the cycle. :(

Appreciate u checking out the video and responding. Mahalo
 
#4 ·
what size is the new tank and what are you putting in it?
 
#5 ·
The other tank is 240 gallon and im going with a lake tanganyika setup. Photos of my set up are in the "meet the community"
 
#6 ·
You cannot put Oscars in that tank as they are South American and require different water parameters than Lake Tanganyika.

In fact absolutely none of those fish can go into a Lake Tanganyika style tank.
 
#7 ·
I am with Tazman,

You could create the look ,with large smooth stones or pieces of slate,flagstone, but I would not attempt to create the hard ,alkaline water that Tanganikan's enjoy with the fish listed, who would all fair poorly in the hard alkaline water.
 
#8 ·
Agree

I have had my setup for sale on craigslist for awhile but have since added all fish to the sale. So I can start my Tanganyika setup from the ground up. I posted it at $600.. Do you guys think thats a fair price?
Dont mean to get off subject.

This is whats included.
125 Glass Fish Tank. Comes with Metal stand, 2 Filters, 2 Heaters, Gravel , Decor, Air Pump, Large 4ft T8 light and ALL fish (14 total)
 
#9 ·
Yey!!!!! My oscars started to lay eggs!!! A bunch of them!!!

I'm going to need advice ASAP... Please this is all new to me..
 
#11 ·
Would keep up with water changes (maybe twice weekly) ,and try not to disturb the fish/eggs.
If eggs do not fungus and are fertilized,then fry should appear within a few day's and clean water will help keep eggs from becoming fungused.
Would look for some fry food, and or crushed up flake or pellet foods,(mix with aquarium water) and use turkey baster to squirt small amount of food near the fry three or four times a day when they become free swimming.
Can be tough maintaining water quality while feeding fry more frequently than adult fish so more frequent water changes may be needed.
If fish eat the eggs, or they all fungus,the adult's will try again and this happen's sometimes three or four times before successful hatch.
Some folks try and remove eggs to hatch them and use methylene blue to ward off fungus but theyr'e success rate is not much better than if fishes are left to their own way.
 
#12 ·
Thank you.. I put in a divider but its not big but and some fish as still getting to the other side. I think with all the movement some of the eggs moved around :( .. Some are clustered in the corner and away from the main batch. I'm mostly trying to keep the placos away.
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#13 ·
Well that sucks... Woke up and all the eggs are gone. Guess they ate them all. I'll be more prepared next time. I'm going to put them alone in the 125gal.
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#14 ·
I do have a question that I can't seam to find the answer to..

How long before the oscars start to lay again? Do they have a laying cycle like once a month? Or is it at random when conditions are right and if so.. What are the conditions?

Hope I can get a few answers because it's driving me nuts thinking about it alllll day lol
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#15 ·
Almost 2 weeks have passed...and the O's have laid another batch :) not as many as the last time.. But then again I just woke up so don't really know how many she really laid.. Hope they make it this time ..
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