CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Guys I have two Oscars, one tiger and one albino. The thing is these fish are to the point of maturity and are starting to fight. I believe they are both males and really seemed to get along before until about two weeks ago.

The tiger oscar has really taken a beating and most of his scales are off his body to the point there is only white skin showing. Since I don't have a seperator right now I put a bowl inside the tank with the tiger oscar in it and then cover it so the albino can't get in there.

Right now I think my options are limited for the care of this tiger. I'm gonna buy the seperator and keep the two seperated, however one fish guy at a store said the ammonia build up will kill the fish. I just thought to clean the tank more often. Either way I got a messed up fish right now that won't eat and just stays in the bottom of the bowl and really won't move. Even if he heals up and gets better he will probably end up the same way again right, if I remove the seperator?

Please give me some options for 1. the care of this oscar right now. 2. What to do in the future to help these guys get along.

Thanks Dave.

I"d use separator, preferring water permeable to a solid though one that obstructs view of the agressor may help reduce stress in the sick fish. Water changes for good water quality and plenty of good food should help the beaten one heal, could try some vitamin B6/B12 complex, grind some tablets and dissolve in water, stress coat etc...can also try a separate smaller tank for a while then reintroduce them, maybe displace the aggressor to another tank and add him back later once the other one has healed etc...sometimes they may get a long later, sometimes they won't, can't know until you try. If they're two males I'd recommend trying to get rid of one and see about getting a female, good luck

Originally posted by cichlidfish
I"d use separator, preferring water permeable to a solid though one that obstructs view of the agressor may help reduce stress in the sick fish. Water changes for good water quality and plenty of good food should help the beaten one heal, could try some vitamin B6/B12 complex, grind some tablets and dissolve in water, stress coat etc...can also try a separate smaller tank for a while then reintroduce them, maybe displace the aggressor to another tank and add him back later once the other one has healed etc...sometimes they may get a long later, sometimes they won't, can't know until you try. If they're two males I'd recommend trying to get rid of one and see about getting a female, good luck

I agree -- What is the size of their aquarium? --Mark:cool:

Thanks for the advice It really has seemed to help. I did buy a water permeable seperator and before I installed that I really cleaned the tank good, all the way to removing the gravel too.

The thing is when they are disturbed the fish are like two rabbits lots in the woods and get get close enough to each other but when they are used to everything the albino just likes to fight like no other.

Anyways the seperator is installed and it seems to be working even though they still behave like they want to be with each other, very weird. The tiger was in such bad shape part of his skin on his right side kind of like bubbled up and now has fallen off. The wound is about the size of a silver dollar but he seems to be quite happy just swimming around in his own space.

His appetite is back now too which is a relief. Hopefully when things get a little better on the tiger I will remove the albino and switch around the tank some and then reintroduce him. Again thanks for the advice.

hi snoop.....keep a real good eye on the wound(as im sure you have been)

if it doesn't start to heal pretty quick then you will need to think about a quarantine tank and medicine.

Ok a couple of weeks have passed and the Tiger seems to be doing very well. I don't know if fish can make scar tissue but it seems that the skin he lost over the fight has re-healed, but his normal markings aren't there it's just plain black.

When all his fins have reconstituted themselves and he's back to normal I think I'll move the tank around with out the albino in there and then reintroduce them both. Hopefully things will pan out, If things seem to start to head south again it might mean two oscar tanks will be in the house, my wife will love that.

Again thanks for the advice to everybody that responded.

How big is your tank snoop5?......Shawn

Sorry guys I have been away for a couple of days....I have a 55 gallon tank but with the new "problems" I have discovered with these two fish I may have to go bigger.