Hey,

Just wondering what the general consensus is on at what age or size oscars start breeding. I had a pair a few years back but I got them as full grown adults. I am setting up a tank that I want to keep a pair in, but I also want to get the oscars young so I am thinking about picking up 5 or 6 and then waiting for a pair to emerge. The only thing is my tank will only support that many oscars up until about 5-6 inches, so I'm hoping that they will try to pair up by the time they are this size.

Thanks guys.

The Oscar doesn't pair until it is of sexual maturity... They are usually between 18 and 24 months before they reach maturity!

So you will have to have the space for 5 or 6, 12inch Oscars...

I hope this helps.

Hey Nicki,

It helps, but not really what I wanted to hear. lol.

I guess I'll have to take another route to get myself a pair. Thanks for the info.

AyresNet wrote:

I got offered 5 oscars to get a couple and return the rest after a couple had established.
But i only wanted one at the moment.
But i got a very gentle red oscar, and i took the risk of introducing a 6 inch Tiger after one and a half years.
And it was worth the risk afterwards.

This is how they acted once the new Tiger was introduced;
Please watch at 360p.


But it appears a couple has formed aND I'M VERY HAPPY!
The tiger has grown to allmost 10" in a few months.
But if you take the risk of adding another o later on, there's no guarantee they will team up.They may try to kill eachother if they're 2 males.
I only took the chance because my tank is pretty big, and i would have been able to rehome immidiately if any aggression started.

I can't do the whole "buy 6, find a pair and give the rest back" thing. I get too attached. I would keep all 6 and get a 400g tank lol. I just bought 2 and if they form a pair, great. If not, oh well.

Hi Noddy, it looks like their doing the dance of love. lol. That is the reason I wanted to get some young and let a pair form, no worries about fighting and having to rehome huge fish.

Hi Tony, I can imagine I would get attached to all of them and want to keep them. Probably a good thing that I can't really do it that way anymore. I will probably do the same as you, buy 2 and hope to get lucky. lol.