I was able to capture what I hope is my Oscars practicing courtship in this video.

on occasion, they will turn bright orange, twitch their tails and posture - no major lip locking yet, but it looks like they're trying. No harm ever comes of their episodes - which last for a few minutes; then they go back to 'normal' - being best buddies and swimming around together. I put some of the 'normal' activity in the video as well as the posturing. If you watch, you can see one of the Oscars 'tail twitching' as well as the color change to bright orange (from their normal red coloring)

What I'd like opinions on - do you think this is courtship and a possible male/female? or do I have the starting of territorial issues between males? thanks much!

That all looks Normal to me Hun! No major aggression, no major sores or damage caused... I wouldn't worry!

i concur with the good looking lady on her new avatar!
however, place take a keen look where they hang out. it you
will notice, both have an scrape on same location but different side.
i believe it comes from the same source or location, not from bullying.

just keep an eye on water condition and you will be fine.

i also agree with the good looking lady in the new avatar lol

Would placing a smooth rock in the tank and maybe raising the temperature kick them into spawning if, infact, it is courtship?

You can add a flat rock. They may or may not pay any attention to it, but it never hurts to try.

As for the temp, as long as your tank is between 78 - 80 then I would leave it alone.

Let nature take it's course if indeed they are pairing!

Excellant Meghan...... At 1.40secs looks like they are in love.
Well done.

yeah deffo 10/10 lovely pair

Nicki--Sue wrote:

My 2 Oscars have ceased all aggression and spent a lot of time together, shaking and shivering, even rubbing against eachother.
Besides that they pose with their tail put together.
I expected the worst, but they seem to like eachother more and more.
The only thing i didn't expect, strangly enough, is that they may become a couple, if it turns out to be male and female.
But I'm not prepared for them spawning, for i got my plecos who will do anything to eat the eggs.
Plus my Gar will love those baby O's.
But my tank temp is 74,5o.
Would this mean they won't spawn if i don't bump my temp???

thanks everyone! I keep the temp as close to 80 as I can - never below 78.

They're a bit young for spawning (guessing they're about 8 months old.... figured they were 2 months old when I got them at 2"). Figured spawning won't occur for awhile - I was hoping they're just practicing. They tend to get a scrape here an there - I'm attributing that to being clumsy. I was glad to finally get the color change and tail shimmying on video - thought it was pretty cool.

I'll keep my fingers crossed, and wait and see! Hopefully love is in the air! I'm not ready to be a 'grandmom' just quite yet- LOL!