The Oscars

Question
Hi Nick,
you may remember a question i asked a few days ago, regarding a sick Oscar with what looked like an intestinal parasite infection of some sort.

Unfortunately, Oscar died today :(. His tank-mate,'Red', who was also his breeding partner is very unhappy about Oscars passing, and was very very angry at me for taking the dead Oscar out of the tank. Hes been sitting in the corner alot.

I'm worried about Red, is there something i should do..? He's had a friend to accompany him his entire life of 6 years and counting. I do have one more Oscar, 'Tiger' in another tank but he is extremely aggresive. Red used to be breeding partners with Tiger but a massive fight caused me to seperate them completly. And thats when Oscar and Red became mates. Tiger is now happy living on his own at the moment, but im worried about Red's lonliness?

Is it worth considering trying to put Red in Tiger's tank?? Or maybe purchase a new fish/friend for Red?

Thanks,
Sam.

Answer
Hi Sam;

I'm so sorry you lost him. Sometimes there's just nothing you can do to help them. Red will be depressed for a few days but will eventually recover. Oscars are very intelligent fish and really do miss their mates.

I really don't think Mr. Tiger would be good to add. In Red's depression he won't be able to defend himself very well. You could try to introduce another fish but you will have to find one the same size as Red so neither one has an immediate upper hand, er...fin. Anyway, see what you can find but consider it carefully.

I hope all the best for your friends.....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins