We have recently rehomed our 2 Tiger and 1 Red Oscar from a 55 that they (and friends 3 clown loach and pleco)outgrew to a 150. Have a new Fluval FX5 filter, too. Everyone grew up together and haven't experienced any problems until just before we moved them. We, of course, were beginning to have territory fights because they were too cramped. Questions:

1) How do we decorate the new tank? We have 2-12 sand in the bottom, several small pieces of driftwood, 3 hiding spots for clowns. Do Oscars need hiding spots? What to use?

2) 1 tiger & red appear to be a "couple". Is that even possible? In the old tank they would chase away the other tiger and have rearranged the rocks on the bottom to make a "nest". Does that spell trouble for the other Oscar? I love them all and don't really want to get rid of the odd man out, but don't want to see him harmed wither. Should I rehome him or get another?.

3) Everyone is pretty beaten up from the rocks that were in the old tank (now have nothing with sharp edges, I'm learning!) and banging around each other. Do I need to do anything to help them heal?

Any opinions and information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

hi and welcome to the site

1) you can decorate the tank in any you see fit. there is no actual right or wrong to do it. decide on what you like and go from there. try to avoid anything with sharp edges or that is breakable. also try to avoid using rocks small enough for a grown oscar to move or throw. this could cause damage to your tank. oscar do not need any hiding spaces so you need not worry about that.

2) there is no reason why a red and tiger wouldnt get together any colour morph of oscar is capable of breeding with another. as for the thrid man out thing it depends on the personalities of your oscars but in reality it probably will be in for rough time. as for adding a new oscar to the mix this might help spread the aggrestion but you would need a larger tank to house them all.


3) to help your oscar heal the best thing to do is have good water. this means no ammonia or nitrites and a nitrate reading between 20-40 just before a water change. a balanced diet with a quality pellet is also recomended for healthy oscars.


good luck to you with your new set up.

welcome to the site.
necromancer4 have you covered.
i agree with him, you can decorate your tank the you
want it to be.

normally, 3 oscars is prone to disaster. once pairing
was stablished, the outcast will be ganged-up and beaten
to death. so i suggest be watchful and observed. once pairing
is stablish, re-home the outcast.

prestine water is primemodial for fishkeeping. it is the fisrt
defense in any sickness. with clean water, fish will heal in no
time

good luck

UPDATE:

Since I moved everyone today, the "couple" have been shifting sand, bullying the other Tiger, chasing the loaches, etc... I really do not want Oscar eggs or babies, is this what is happening? Is nice big spaces, pristine water, etc making them frisky! I haven't broken down the 55 yet, should I move the "odd man out" back to the 55 for his protection? If I split up the pair and move one of them, will that work? I really would like to keep the other Oscar since he is the most docile and has the best personality, but I also don't really want 2 large tanks!

Help me, I am at a loss as to what to do!

if your pair have tankmates, they will take care the
hatchlings. parents will eat the eggs if there are
intruders. if you love the outcast, better rehome
it now. 55 gal will be fine for a single o.