We have had two Oscar fish together for about a year, which were about 10 inches long. They got along just fine, and we even strongly suspected they were having some mating behaviors every now and then. Last week, one of them died. We are wondering if Dewie (we suspect is the girl fish) would be very lonely. Today, she is being very protective of the flat rock, lunging at us and the plecos. Is this normal? Should we think about getting another Oscar fish? Is she trying to attract a male through mating behaviors?

Thank you!!!

welcome to the site. firstly, let me put your mind at rest, fish don't get lonely, period. Oscars come across as being friendly, intelligent fish. Yes, they are more intelligent than a lot of fish but they still have extremely primitive brains. they just don't possess these sort of emotions. Many people would like to think that their fish are like the dog and cat. I am afraid that this is just not the case. So to answer your question, your Oscar will be perfectly okay on its own and it will not get lonely. You do not need to get another Oscar if you don't want to. Of course if your tank is big enough, you could get another fish to go with it

It is a 75-gallon tank. At present, we have Dewie (10" oscar) and two plecos (10" and 7"). Do you think this tank is full? If not, what types of fish would be appropriate tank mates for this particular aquarium?

Thank you!

sounds like you've got a species of pleco that get very big, I'm talking 18 inches upwards. can you post a photo of these fish please?to be part of the honest with you, a lot of these pleco just aren't suitable for the majority of a home aquariums. there are loads of suitable tankmates out there, I could probably give you a huge long list . I think that would be an information overload. 75 gallons is big enough for one Oscar and may be one of the small tank may, or may be two. lets out a couple of silver dollars, or Jade eyed cichlid , or maybe even some of the smaller catfish

Both of the plecos came from commercial pet stores. The longer one we have had for about two years. The shorter one has been in our aquarium for a little over one year. Perhaps I have measured them incorrectly by including the full length of the tail?

At any rate, I will put up pictures soon.

Thank you for all your help!

sorry to hear bout yr loss.

10 inch pleco, ironically named "Oscar"

well, having trouble making the pictures small enough to post...

Sorry to hear your about your loss

I would get rid of 1 plec and get a tank mate for your oscar. It doesnt have to be another oscar. If you return the plec at the same time as getting the tank mate you may get the mate cheaper