I have two young Red Oscars (guessing about 6 months old). They are best buddies - rarely are they ever apart; they rest together, swim up and down the tank together, - they get along really well.

I know they are way too young for mating; but the other morning after they "woke up" - they both turned bright orange. They turned to each other and did a brief "lip lock" (only lasted a few seconds and was basically more like a bump). After a few moments, they went back to their normal coloring; and went about their normal business.

Do people think this is the first steps of aggression (i.e. I'm doomed and have two males)? Or can I keep my fingers crossed that they are actually a pair and are practicing at courtship?

About a month ago I woke up to a palm-sized bare spot on the bottom of the tank. I realize this is common; but I have secretly hoped it was a practice ritual for future spawning.

If the pair have grown together I don't think you will have much trouble keeping them together if it was a brief act of aggression. even the best of friends and a mating pair will fight on occasions. the usually get over it and go back to being friends. On the other hand it could well be a pair and the first kiss, maybe that's why they went red )))). Lets hope they are )

true, fingers crossed!

hope it works out fine for you

thank you everyone! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they were practicing "kissing" - maybe getting ready for Valentine's Day

only time will tell!

Usually immediate intense red coloration can be indicative of an immediate predilection towards consuming human flesh and human flesh only. At this juncture there are a few questions that need be asked:

1. Have you been introducing your hand regularly into the tank?

2. Have you been moving the hand in a seductive/rhythmic motion in such a way as to invite aggressive/predatory behavior?

3. Do you use hand softeners after regular showers thus giving the flesh a supple, healthy radiance?

4. Have you, through any open wounds, introduced the scent of human blood into the tank?

5. After preparing fish for human consumption do you then place your hand into the tank?

6. Have the Oscar's eyes been additionally glowing a bright red as well...often noticeable when artificial lighting has been disconnected?

7. Have you noticed small nodules, almost the same appearance and consistency of horns, growing on either side of the head?

johnnyphoenix wrote:

yeah ive seen this before... there was that kid in dayton that lost 3 fingures last year

jcrunk69 wrote:
[/quote]
yeah ive seen this before... there was that kid in dayton that lost 3 fingures last year[/quote]

Yeah that 2 year old lost his left ear lobe...but only 2 fingers on his left hand. It happened about 2 1/2 hours southwest of me so I remember the newspaper articles about it.

I have NO IDEA how he managed to get into the tank btw... Well, just an example of people buying Oscar's without understanding their nature...I blame the parents, actually. You have a kid under 12 years old...you never, never introduce that kind of a predator into the home. I bought my English bulldog from a breeder in Eaton, Ohio which is really close to Dayton and everyone was all freaked out about it.

johnnyphoenix wrote:

yeah i got a pit and my landlord hates it... but you cant blame the parents, its the politicians fault for not making laws against such dangerous fish... and theres nothing worst than an undereducated pet owner, theyre always cute till sombody loses an eye

that last quote did work so good, idk what happened

jcrunk69 wrote:



No shit. Like my buddy (who raised O's for over 20 years) told me before I got them..."It's all fun and games until somebody loses a toenail."

johnnyphoenix wrote:


this is the funniest thing I've read in weeks, maybe months!