CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

6 months ago we got our first Oscar, I thought he was looking a bit loney and one day came across a female for him to keep him company. A week later with a lot of swishing tails and lock jaw going on we have eggs.
Can anyone tell us what we have to do now? How long will they be eggs for? We also have a mottled tail eel with them, will he eat the eggs?? He now apears to keep to the other side of the tank. And will mum or dad eat the babies when they do hatch?

PS Mrs Oscar is now garding the eggs and won't let Mr Oscar anywhere near them she keeps chasing him off to the other side of the tank where the eel is hiding. Can anyone tell what this is all about?

Thanks

Hi, that is normal, they pair have a little fight over who gets to guard the eggs. Sometimes male wins sometimes female wins, you sure it's the female that's driving the male away? is your female as big as your male? O yea and the eggs take about 3 to 5 days to hatch, but then several more days for them to completely deplete their egg sac after which you can start feeding.

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Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

Hi Joe thanks for that... My female is bigger than my male, but not in as good a health, only having one eye, she had been badly beaten up when I got her and was very unhappy where she was. Before the eggs came along he was boss. He is now missing part of his chin but has been able to go back and share the garding. Although now the female is eating the eggs and hes picking on her.
We have now separated them from the eggs with a divider to leave the eggs alone and hope... All 3 fish seem to be happy with this arrangment and r back rubbing against each other and the best of mates. I have to say what a very strange courtship these guys have... They sure do make damn good pets...