CPVFD325

My pleco picks/annoys the crap out of my little tiger oscar. The dang fish just wont leave him alone. He hasnt been eating like he used too, he likes to hide in his cave. He will attempt to go to the top and eat but he gets half way there and either changes his mind or dilly dallys to long and some other fish crosses his path and he runs back to the cave....I did notice once the light is turned off he will go to the top and eat....what would just change this behavior? No other fish bother him. The notorious "fin nippers" the barbs just let him be, and my Jack doesnt bother him.(the Jack is a piggy) I think he would eat all day if i let him. The pleco doesnt really bother anyone else.

Im kinda stumped. Im workin on getting a 55 for the Pleco, the Oscar, Jack and the bala. If this relationship between the Oscar and the pleco continues.....i dont know what to do. I was going to solve the problem for now and get rid of the pleco and get a oto and a cory, which i still might do. My oscar is small and has no interest in other fish right now. So i guess that would work, for now.

that would help my overstock problem by a little for now, getting rid of a potential 18 inches. lol. and an annoying pleco. GRRRR.

Chief_waterchanger

I would say the overstocking probably is a large part of the problems. Overstocking causes fish to be skittish and uncomfortable constantly which leads to health issues due to stress and to abnormal behavior, whether that abnormal behavior be aggression or timidness. You do know that a bala needs more than a 55g by the time it is full size, right? (Just making sure. )

CPVFD325

Yes i do know that. I knew that I would be overstocked while these fish were small and like I said I am currently shopping for at least a 55g. I am just looking for a short term fix. I really didnt think that the pleco would take over as the dominent fish. Do you suggest removing the pleco and replacing with a oto and cory for the time being? Which will be ok in the long run for they can stay in the 29g after the big fish move out.

Barbrella

A 55 gallon is not anywhere near big enough for the fish you have, although one Oscar could be housed in it alone.

A 200 gal. might be okay without the bala, but you do know that balas are schooling fish and should not be kept alone? A 55 is way too small for them.

If a 55 is your limit, I would take back everything and keep just one, either the oscar or the JD.

Otos and corys need be kept in small shoals and shouldn't be kept with fish who will get big enough to eat them.

CPVFD325

O.K. Thanks!