fishingman001

How can I tell the sex of my Albino Oscars? I heard that the only way to tell is when they start to mate. Is that true? Thanks.

AlyeskaGirl

Yup, that is true.

Shawnie

oscars are monomorphic which means both sexes are identical...only when spawning do you know..but im wondering in your siggy, how do you breed oscars to stay small?

fishingman001

the man i bought them from changed something in their genes to make the Oscars stay small (no bigger than 5 inches) and so now he breeds those and sells them.

Amanda

He changes something in their genes?? Was he a genetic scientist?

fishingman001

i just know that he sells fish...i don't know what else he does. the Oscars i have are about 4 months old and are about 2 inches in length. I'll wait and see if they grow out of the tank.

CHoffman

I wouldn't put my money on it...The only way he was able to breed them to stay small was to allow stunted or unhealthy fish that didn't reach full size to reproduce. IT's called selective breeding, in some cases it's good. Say for example your trying to get a awesome Koi Angel fish. They select only the Angels with the best of coloring and and allow them to breed to make a better koi. But in this case to selectively breed a small oscar I think would make for a very unhealthy fish. Oscars are just big fish..Healthy Oscar's usally grow about a inch per month when small. I would have a back up plan for them just incase. if they do start to grow I would move them ASAP or that small tank will do some major damage to them in terms of stunting and poor water quaility.

fishingman001

I'll keep an eye on them to see what happens.

Shawnie

ive been saying for over 5 years, that I wish an oscar could be bred for smaller sizes but same personalities....I think this guy has pulled a fast one over on you and if you dont trust us, go to http://www.oscarfishlover.com/oscars-need-big-tanks and search around there and ask all the questions you would like..that is a site specifically dedicated to oscars .....please dont leave them in a 33g long tank and remember, they grow the most in their 1-5 years of age...if you stunt them now, there will be no coming back from that

fishingman001

im thinking about returning the oscars anyway....they ate my cory cats, one of my female swords and a couple of neons. thanks for the advice though.

Shawnie

thats what oscars do..they cannot be kept with ANY fish they can fit in their mouth...great deal on returning them! then you can restock with some other tropicals that will better suit that tank...the long tanks are amazing looking when stocked

aquarist48

Good morning Fishingman. Some great advice above. I like the look of the long tanks. Keep us posted and I hope you can share some photos with us sometime once you're all stocked.
Ken

fishingman001

i'll take some pics soon