by Warrenbish on Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:00 pm
Young Oscar tank mates will usually get along until they become young adults, which is when you will know if you have a pair, or same sex.
So just because they are friends now, and look different does not mean anything, especially since they are from different mothers and are different in age (if they were from the same batch of fry, you could deduce some differences sexually).
Although shape and tail fins are indicators, one of the best ways to tell is behavior. Swimming together while young is common, but flirting is altogether different. If they begin to tail-shimmy, you have a pair; thats like a cat purring in delight. Same sexes wanting more room will NOT tail shimmy. If you begin to think they are lovers be careful, they will play fight to test strength and might jump clear out of the tank. A glass top does NOT contain a 35 MPH blast from an explosive Oscar and u will find your fish dead on the floor. Duct tape the lid shut.
So, in conclusion, watch their behavior. Real hateful fighting does not include sideways tail shimmy, just head to head mouthing and biting. Tail shimmy tells you they like each other. WB