I have a pair of oscar fish that i think are mating?

Question

i have 2 oscar fish one is bigger then the other one and keep fighting slapping each other with their tails and nipping on each other.I heard people say after they slap their tails and do all of that they become the best of friends and hang out with each other but mine keep fighting

Answer 1

Don't listen to the guy below I own two large oscars in a 75 gallon tank and they are really peaceful. But if one is smaller than the other the larger one will fight the other one to the death or serious injury and then death. It depends if the tank is too small they are fighting over territory and because the other one is smaller.

Answer 2

The mating of oscars is very violent, so they could be spawning. How big is the tank? for 2 oscars you need a 100+ gallon tank.

Answer 3

Actually Cheryl may have a pair of Oscars, but they are in a tank too small.  Betta for a change is actually right that you'd want something near a 100 but no less then a 90.  While sometimes smaller tanks can work out, you would want to consider when these fish are done growing, they are about 14-18 inches adult size, and will need space.

Oscars are also monomorphic so you cannot visually s*x them.  Tail slapping IS a good sign they are bonding and yes, Cheryl, Oscar mating is very very physical.  In fact, the bond Oscars form is called a test of strength.  Boundry fighting is not going to occur but a fraction of as much as it would between two males.  Oscars are also monogomy pairs, so they will stay mated for life IF the ritual completes.  Usually the initial acts are a lip lock which one will try to dislodge the other for as long as they can both compete.  Should one of the two, male or female, not be able to hold up with the other, the winner WILL try to kill the loser.  After that phase, you'll see close quarters swimming and tail slapping.

It sounds much to me like you are in the final stages of a male and female bonding.  Next you are liable to see them clearing out a flat space in which the female will deposit eggs and the male will fertilize them.

Just wondering, what is the tank size and are they the only fish in it?  Can you post any pictures?  Keep in mind, it's difficult to keep a pair of males togeather.  These are South American Cichilds, and males pretty much don't tolerate each other well.  If this turns out to just be a pair of males, one of those males will be dominant and the other will be submissive.  The submissive one is not going to be very happy in that tank with the other male.  It can be done, but just keep in mind, the dominant one will literally dominate the submissive one, and don't be surprised if a few years into keeping them, one male kills the other male.