Hey everyone, Im brand spanking new to this site, and really need some advice!!!

I have an Oscar (Bruce) thats about 3in long, that has been living by himself for a few weeks now, and a only a few days ago I got him a friend thats a bit more than 2in long (haven't thought of a name yet).

Problem is Bruce has been bullying the new oscar, nipping and chasing it all over the place. Ive noticed that its tail looks a bit shredded, but other than that it's doing okay.

Most of the time it just hides, except when I open the lid and they both come to feed, Bruce doesnt bully it then, he always gets the food first though...

Is there anything I can do, to stop Bruce from being such a bully? or will they eventually get along.

Thanks in advance.

hi have a look in the helpful articles at the top of the page and scroll down to oscars fighting, that will help you , xx

Hello and welcome.
Rearanging the decor in the tank may help.
I found that having visual breaking points like plants or wood can help lower agrression.
I say try rearranging the tank and see what happens.
As long as they're not killing eachother,but keep a close eye on them!
btw how big is your tank?

Hi Patrice... Welcome.. Call me Jamie

welcome on board.
Noddy got you covered.

most likely they will figure out the pecking order in a few weeks. It can be tough but hang in there! also do what noddy says it does help sometimes. Welcome to the site by the way

If the aggression continues you can try a divider for a bit, then give them another shot after they get used to each other being in the same tank. just a few scents...it worked for me once. good luck!

Yes, a divider can help too.
And if all of that fails you can allways try the BigGameHunter Time out bag.
The bag is actually a net.
The aggressor is captured in a large net and kept in the net for 4-6 hours.
The bullied fish can take over the territory while the aggressor has to watch.
This may change their attitude to eachother.
But I'd try the other options first.

Hi Patrice!

I experienced exactly the same trouble when I introduced my two young Oscars. I opted for the tank divider solution. I bought my divider on eBay and had to have it specially made as my tank is larger than the average. It arrived within a couple of days and I kept the two Ozzies apart for about 10 days. Then the newer one managed to slip through into Ozzies side during the night (must have jumped it!), and I found the two of them the next morning happily swimming together. No problems since and the divider was removed.

My Ozzies are quite a bit bigger now: Ozzie is about 8in and Bizzie about 7in and there's been a bit of lip locking and shimmying going on every now and again. Very rarely, but I'm keeping an eye on them and looking to upgrade to a larger tank. But certainly - the divider worked well when the two of them were young and first introduced. Well worth a go.

Claudy

divider is good, net is good too. I personally removed mine and placed him into a different tank, let him get his manhood back, and brought him back but not before rearranging the tank. Now they swim toogether, but still fight, but not to the point that my tiger was left in the corner 24/7 and could never leave, he was the punk of the tank.

When he was alone in a 55 gal, he would act all tough, attach the bubbler, attack his reflection, and was seemingly feeling tougher.

I think it helped alot, because now he stand up to Mayweather(lutino) and Mosley(Tiger) only fights him sometimes, and doesnt stay in the corner 24/7, he gives him a run for his MONEY! Helped a bunch, so I see a separation being helpful!!