2006-08-17 07:22:11 · 4 answers · asked by rrattler27 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
if you have 2 Oscars in the same tank and they totally ignore each other. They are both female. If they are constantly fighting or one is picking on another they are both male. If they hang out together and stick close to each other they are male and female. There is no exterior way to tell what sex they are .
2006-08-17 07:29:45 · answer #1 · answered by Master Sado 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I have been told, there is only one way to tell the difference in oscar sexes. You must remove them from the water, hold them in your hands and turn them upside down.
In this position you can view the vents where the eggs and sperm are released. Only a person experienced in "venting" oscars will be able to tell male from female. From what I hear, one is more round than the other. One will look like a cat's eye. One is round. Probably the female is round, that would make sense to me. Easier for the eggs to come out. I have never done it myself.
Just having a male and a female is not a guarantee of them getting along. A dominant oscar will "test" the other oscars that live with him. If they do not stand up to him and equal him in strength, he will eventually kill them because of the confines of the aquarium.
The best way to get a pair is to buy more than six babies that are about 2" long (tails don't count in fish length). As they grow up, they will sort out who is in charge and usually you will end up with a pair. Note: A pair of mature oscars will grow to around 14" and require at least a 55 gallon tank for just the 2 of them. A 75 or 100 would be best. That would give them room to spawn.
2006-08-17 10:11:20 · answer #2 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to that is simple: you can't. Oscars are very interesting in that they are what we call monomorphic meaning that males and females look the same, or put another way, any difference in appearance between two fish (and they can vary quite a bit) is not due to the sex of the individuals.
2006-08-17 07:48:24 · answer #3 · answered by rosered1c 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
almost impossible when they are young. when they are older the males dorsal fin my be slightly longer and more pointed than the females but its still a little difficult. females dorsal fin may appear a little more blunt and rounded. :)
2006-08-17 07:30:39 · answer #4 · answered by old wise one ;) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋