Have seen several different opinions on this subject. Does anyone know for sure, from experience, whether the water should be kept cool, like it is after the rain in the Amazon, or should the water be warmer? It would seem that when it rains in the Amazon, water temps would drop to the mid to lower 70's. I have my water up to 82-84 degrees, because of what I have read on other websites. Do you agree that the water should be warmer for breeding, or should I turn it down a notch?? Much response would be appreciated:laugh:

My Oscars always laid eggs when the water was a little warmer. In fact, increasing the temperature often bought them on to spawn. They would often also spawn after a large water change as well.

thanks for info.

To be honest i think your temperature is a bit too high. *"-*$ thats in discus territory, i think a temperature of 78-80 is fine. You are right to say that a cooling of the water in the Amazon following the rain takes place and this often triggers Oscars and lots of other fish to spawn as the temperature rises again. If your fish are not breeding let the temperature drop back to 78-80 and then do a water change which cools the water gradually done to around 75 and then let the water heat back up again.Any change in temp should be done gradually.

thanks for your time & info on the temp of water & ph levels. souud like you know your ##$# . I turned my water down anotch. (77-78). I think part of my problem is, that I move my fish aroubnd too much. When I bought them, over a year ago, I only bought 4, maybe I should have bought 6 for breeding purposes. But then again, I do only have a 55 gallon, and a 90 gallon, what would I have done with them all. I know that if I ever actually succeed at breeding, I will definately have to get another tank. They do seem happy in their 55 gallon, they are in there with 5 African cichlids. The other ones are in their 90 gallon with 2 African cichlids, and they get along better than the two that I oringinally thought were a pair, which is why they have less company in their tank.
The two that i originally thought were a pair, were fighting too much, but one of them was not fighting back, so I separated them, and now they are all getting along better. Have you ever heard , or seen oscars breed with other fish in the tank with them, ie:African cichlids???

I have had a 120 gallon tank with seven Oscars in and watched two pairs spawn at either ends. The only problem is that they would always eat the eggs when other fish are in the tank. they will see the others as a threat to the eggs and consume the eggs rather then expend the extra energy in protecting them from predators. when i had other Oscars in the tank i used to take them out and hatch them once i had three pairs of Oscars all spawning at the same time. Didnt know which pair to watch.if you really want to breed them i would recommend you take all other fish out of the tank that is the best way.Sometimes moving them around can trigger them into spawning.

Thanks for the advise. I was wondering what size are the tanks that you breed in? Do you use the 120 gallon for that?
Also, we would love to see some photos of your tanks in the gallery.
Again, thank you.

I use tanks ranging in size from 48x18x12 to 60 x 24x24 you can check out my pics at www.oscartropicalfish.co.uk/pfk.htm