I observed my Oscar moving gravel from just 1 particular spot in his/her tank last night.
I know they move things around to suit themselves but this was just 1 area and he/she was chasing the SD away from that area - like being territorial. Normally they get along really well.
My O is almost 6months old and I really don't know what gender he/she is. I know how to sex them but Felix is still a little small.


The SD was bought as a male.

I really wouldn't read anything into it, this is just normal behaviour, they all do it at some stage. Whether it is something they would also go in the wild I know not, but all my Oscars have done it at some stage, whether they are old enough to breed or not.

thanks OFL, I was actually wondering if it also indicated gender. Or do both Male and Female do this? It seemed as though it was preparing an area as I have read before. I'm not at all worried as I find it quite intriguing and interesting.
Although one thing he/she does which does concern me somewhat is like a coughing fit. Opens its mouth and kind of shudders.

normal thing for an o including that shuddering... it is just confronting
his own image in the glass...

Thanks Paul, it kinda looked like he was choking on one of his fish.

woodie03 wrote:


as an Oscar breathes through his it's gills, it cannot "choke" on it's food.
If a feederfish had spines it can get stuck, but the fish will not choke.
Here's my O after swallowing one of his tankmates that didn't fit at all.



and both male and female o's portrait the same breeding behaviour, so moving gravel will not help to tell gender.

ya i bout a new cave for my oscars buddy jessie the electric lab and she dug out the holeee cave all i see in there is glass and then she got ahead of herself and dug up two more spots in the tank i dont mind it as long as it makes my fish happy