Hi, I do have a question that may be silly but... I wanted to know if it's usual behavior in young paired-off Oscars to go from being tender, smooth on each other -in their first egg-laying/hatching fry experience (no survivors as expected due to newbie mishandling of selected fry combined with other-species tankmates with them and my intention to let nature-tank take its course) to tough, rude, dominate/submissive behaviour which ends in superficial but visible bruises nothing really serious, but quite dramatic as if they were having a couple's disagreement. It looks like they are getting ready to spawn again. So my question is this:

Is it normal behavior to display so opposite (to my human-biased eye) behaviors when mating at different points in time? I know you have tons of experience in breeding Oscars so you might help me clarify this curiosity.

Thanks
Pepe
Santo Domingo

A breeding pair of Oscars can often be quite rough with each other. In many cases, the injuries are actually caused by the fish swimming into things in the tank, rather than the other Oscar inflicting injuries, although that isn't always the case. If you Oscars are laying eggs on a regular basis, I shouldn't worry too much, the rough behaviour will just be part of the whole breeding ritual.

i have noticed that they can have a argument after spawning and eating the eggs. most damage is done in chasing.

i have notice that just prior to spawning my breeding pair tend to be more aggressive to the other fish in the tank as well as with each other. there have been occasions when some minor injuries have been obtained but like previously posted these are more from the chasing than actual fighting