I woke up this morning to find that the O's have made a bare spot in the tank by moving all the gravel to expose the bottom of the tank - probably about 4" in diameter, and pretty close to round. The O's aren't that old (came home in October - so they are maybe 5 months old) - so I don't think they are sexually mature? No fighting, lip locking or other rituals. The area they cleared is where they sleep and hang out the most. I don't have any flat rocks or other flat surfaces in the tank. Are they preparing a nest? Or have they been watching decorating shows while I'm at work - LOL

Is it typically the female that does this? I didn't witness it happening. Just wondering if others have experienced this - especially at such a young age.

It is completely normal for Oscars to move things including gravel around as they choose...

moving substrate is normal among oscar. and that is where the danger
comes along when you have a good size pebbles. the oscar can lift it
up and release it above. the pebble can break the bottom plate.

my o used to do that when i still have substrate but now no more..

Mine have created what I have to call a crater size hole in the far corner of the tank... they have piled the sand up and made a fort around their crater. I love messing with them and filling it back up... gives them something to do! Next morning, it is back to a crater in the corner!

PAUL wrote:


is this a worry with acrylic tanks too?

this is normal for oscars, they will arrange the tank how they want it. I like the look where the gravel is uneven

I am going with sand from now on....

LMFAO!!!! Stole that pic Hun.. I love it!!!!

MeghanR wrote:

nope...not at all.....but for glass bottom plate, it is.