Sudden change in Black Belt's aggression level?q

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BassetsForBrown

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 2, 2012
526
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Boston
Hi,

To start, aquarium's specs are as follows:

- 90g tank
- 2 air pumps
- 1 125gph canister, 1 60gph AquaClear HOB

- Electric Blue Dempsey 4.5"
- Blood Parrot 3"
- 2 Sail Fin Plecos both 6"
- Oscar 4ish"
- Black Belt 5.5"

All fish have grown from roughly 2" together in the same tank when I bought them. A little over a month ago I got the Oscar and he was just short of 4", and I have had zero aggression issues of any kind since than until today. The Black Belt isn't seeking him out per-say, but if they get close he attacks and will follow the Oscar for a good bit before stopping. Nothing about the water parameters has changed, nor has the tank's scenery or temp, but the BB has suddenly become hyper aggressive towards the Oscar, and no one else. As I said, this literally just started today. Oscar has a few visible shreds on his body now :(

I appreciate your help, thanks.
 
Yes this is very normal behavior, very normal for Vieja/Paraneetroplus to get very aggressive once they hit 5+ inches, especially in a tank as small as 90 gal.
This is a tank size a Vieja wants only to itself, and the moniker "black belt" is not only for its looks.
I've seen them shred a dovii that is much larger.
 
This may be a stupid question, but I have to ask it anyway.... Would an aggressive cichlid like my Black Belt respond at all if I were to net him into a 10 gallon tank immediately once he attacks my Oscar? only for 10 min or so, basically the concept of a time-out. Even if he doesn't learn the first time, if I were able to watch the tank and consistently do it may he get the message?
 
BassetsForBrown said:
This may be a stupid question, but I have to ask it anyway.... Would an aggressive cichlid like my Black Belt respond at all if I were to net him into a 10 gallon tank immediately once he attacks my Oscar? only for 10 min or so, basically the concept of a time-out. Even if he doesn't learn the first time, if I were able to watch the tank and consistently do it may he get the message?
Click to expand...

I've used the timeout approach but have only had success with week to month long stays in qt.

At that point, you'd need another tank anyways. Best to make a choice.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
i have never heard of temporary separation working.i agree with the others,your probably going to have to move someone out of the tank.cichlids can and will kill each other
 
OK, well I guess I've got a decision to make than. On a side note, besides segregating, and maybe adding an antibacterial sort of product like Melafix, is there anything I can do to help my Oscar heal, or at least be more comfortable?

thanks again
 
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