Oscar breeding behavior??

[LunarValkyrie]

I have 3 oscars that have grown up together since they were tiny. Two are normal reds and one is an albino red. The largest (normal) and is about 8" tip to tip. The Albino is next at about 6 1/2" and the smallest is another normal at about 5".
I know there are very few signs of sexing in them, but my albino does this little shimmy toward the largest fish a lot or he/she flares fins and shakes the tail. Especially if I have just done a water change...the albino is very active like this. I have never seen the other two do it. Is this a male showing off? Are they big enough to be thinking of spawning??

I do notice the head shape ( almost like a V) of the albino and the smallest one are the same, but the large fish is a smooth slant to the mouth. Is that any sign of gender? I always read to watch the fins to see if they overlap the tail. So I kinda always assumed the albino and the small normal were male, but that isn't always a true sign either.

Anyway, I just wondered if I might be getting close to a possible spawn. I have a lfs that has said they would buy some, so I wouldn't mind if they did. They get along so well, and are so pretty, I don't want anyone to get torn up if two spawn and they gang up on the third.

Any advice??

 

[tlindsey]

I have 3 oscars that have grown up together since they were tiny. Two are normal reds and one is an albino red. The largest (normal) and is about 8" tip to tip. The Albino is next at about 6 1/2" and the smallest is another normal at about 5".
I know there are very few signs of sexing in them, but my albino does this little shimmy toward the largest fish a lot or he/she flares fins and shakes the tail. Especially if I have just done a water change...the albino is very active like this. I have never seen the other two do it. Is this a male showing off? Are they big enough to be thinking of spawning??

I do notice the head shape ( almost like a V) of the albino and the smallest one are the same, but the large fish is a smooth slant to the mouth. Is that any sign of gender? I always read to watch the fins to see if they overlap the tail. So I kinda always assumed the albino and the small normal were male, but that isn't always a true sign either.

Anyway, I just wondered if I might be getting close to a possible spawn. I have a lfs that has said they would buy some, so I wouldn't mind if they did. They get along so well, and are so pretty, I don't want anyone to get torn up if two spawn and they gang up on the third.

Any advice??

pops
Oddball

 

[LunarValkyrie]

I also just noticed that the large fish has a spot on the base of the tail. No one else does.

 

[pops]

shimming, shivering can be a few things for Oscars, normally is a see you you type thing. If you add in heavy head/tail wagging. protecting a spot in the tank, chasing other fish off then can quite possibly be wanting to spawn behavior.

 

[LunarValkyrie]

Today...the albino has been banished to the far end of the tank and the two normal reds are controlling the tank. They keep going round and round each other in one corner near an upside down plate I put in there yesterday after my water change, and a pot on its side. I think I am going to move the albino. They have never torn any fins or anything and I want to keep him that way.

 

[LunarValkyrie]

Well, looks like I moved my albino just in time....I have spawning happening in my tank. It was a gentle process of nudging and shaking/shimmering. No one lost any fins or scales and now they are spawning on the upside down terracotta plate I put in there after the water change. I read where its unusual for them to do this in the home aquarium especially with other fish around. So I am pleased. And they seem to have pretty good form. lol

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

Nice congrats, so male is 8" and female is 5" ? That's pretty cool post pics soon so we can see them good luck

 

[LunarValkyrie]

Actually, it's the reverse. I have been watching them for about 45 mins. The larger fish is the female and she is laying in perfect straight lines. Its like watching a printer. lol She stops every line and fans and checks them all before starting a new line. It looks to be a rather big spawn at this point. But I am trying not to get too excited as this is their first try. But they are looking good so far.

 

[LunarValkyrie]

This was a few weeks ago during a water/floss change, but you can see them.

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

Awesome, oscars are fun fish