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	Strange oscar behavior
bmcelfresh Hobbyist Posts: 77 Kudos: 81 Votes: 4 Registered: 14-Oct-2004	Lava (we assume she is a female) is our 1.5 year old oscar. She is in a 75gl tank which she just moved into in July. She is the only oscar in the tank. She has started picking up gravel and spitting it out against only the front glass. This is not small gravel. About 1/2 inch each. This fish is fed her "large" pellets twice a day and snacks throughout the week. I know she cannot possibly be hungry. She picks up the gravel from all over the tank. Not one specific spot. Has anyone had this happen with their fish? Any suggestions? Barb
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03
wish-ga Mega Fish Dial 1800-Positive-Posts Posts: 1198 Kudos: 640 Registered: 07-Aug-2001	picking the gravel up in their mouth and spitting it out is the fish way of digging. Digging is a very common cichlid behaviour. I don't have experience keeping oscars but other cichlids I have had show this digging behavour, often at the base of a rock or in the 'cave' formed by rocks. is 'she' digging in the open? How much rock cover does she have? Maybe some experienced oscar owners can help. should be lots around here, oscars have a whole fan club on the boards here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03
firecontrol Hobbyist Posts: 65 Kudos: 59 Votes: 41 Registered: 02-Sep-2005	does she pick up similar pieces, as in size or color. I've read somewhere that oscars will move things in the tank that it doesn't like, and sometimes will spit gravel it doesn't like outta the tank
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03
Mike R Fish Addict Posts: 593 Kudos: 830 Votes: 322 Registered: 27-Jul-2004	Mine did that when I had him in a tank with large pebbles, the tank he's in now has smaller gravel and he doesn't pick it up. I think they just entertain themselves with it. They like the sound or something. Put some plastic plants in for him/her to dig up and move around. Mike
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03
bmcelfresh Hobbyist Posts: 77 Kudos: 81 Votes: 4 Registered: 14-Oct-2004	She has plants in the tank which is a joke since she does move them about. Maybe it is the sound of the rocks hitting the glass that she likes??? No, as to size it does not matter. I have even seen her try to pick up a large piece of gravel. It seems to drive her crazy. Too big for her mouth, but she keeps trying. Barb
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03
my names oscar Small Fry Posts: 7 Kudos: 8 Votes: 0 Registered: 11-Sep-2005	My two year old female does it all the time, i have her now in a aquarium with sand, and she still digs, moves plant around the way she likes it even broke on of my heaters! As far as the gravel goes, i found mine was digging a small ditch i guess under some driftwood to rest. I must say though, my tank never looks the same any given day!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03
jaloco Hobbyist Posts: 62 Kudos: 65 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	my oscar does it all the time. it clears out an area so there is no gravel, just the glass and sleeps there at night.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:03


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