Cichlid Aggression-- Severums and Oscar

[peaches]

Hi! Happy new year everyone!

I just need some suggestions about my cichlids which are being quite pain at the moment. Well, I have a 105 gallon aquarium, cycled and doing wonderful. My first initial plan was to put my big Oscar + my two large Severums together along with my big Tinfoil barbs. Well, the bad thing was---- I added everybody and they did fine for a few days. But then my Oscar began chasing and nipping my severums and made their life really miserable. He also chased the barbs. And along with that the Severums picked on each-other and the Tinfoil barbs as well. It's all a mess now and everybody is back in individual aquariums except for the peaceful barbs which were allowed to stay back in the 105gal. I cannot stand seeing a fish miserable and being bullied by another. I know this is what you get with cichlids but mine are really making each-other miserable. Is there ANYTHING I can do to help prevent SOME of the nipping and chasing? Many times I've read it's better to keep several of one type of cichlids together rather than just 2-3. The "King" fish will divide his attention of establishing ranks among all the fish and no one fish is completely miserable. They talked in terms of at least 6 of one certain species. Now I know for certain keeping 6 Oscars is pushing it even with my 105 gallon right? What if I had a larger group of Severums AND/OR just a different type of cichlid whom is equal in both size and temperament?

Or should I just not worry about them and put them back into the 105 gal? I tend to worry a little too much I know. But my Oscar caused my Severum to be head down in the gravel behind a piece of petrified wood completely miserable.

Thank you for any input! Please respond soon.... thanks
* Happy new year 2006! *
Peaches~

 

[puffer_girl]

Have the same problem you do. Have 2 oscars that absolutely will not get along and a salvini that is currently in "fish purgatory" (which is a 20 gal tank) by herself. Planning on taking her to a fish store this week to turn her in which really upsets me. I've had her 2 years but I can no longer cater to fish that wont "play nice." I've made the mistake of doing that an now have 7 tanks...... If you come across any helpful info let me know!

 

[DanDanUK]

Hi peaches !

It's a known fact that cichlids are very territorial fish and they require there own space in a comunity aquarium. You have oscars which are quite possably the biggest bullying cichlids you can keep. Severums are one of the more quieter and more placid cichlids. And as for your tinfoil barb the Oscars will proberbly chase him round all day but won't catch him unless he has his guard down as they a very skitish and fast swimmers.

My advice to you would be to add more decor to your tank and divide it up so the fish have there own territory failing that you may have to get rid of one or the other. Finding compatable tank mates is always hit and miss ... trial and error fish you think will be fine together and have prooven to be great together on paper can always go the other way.

Good luck.

 

[repair]

Hi peaches !

It's a known fact that cichlids are very territorial fish and they require there own space in a comunity aquarium. You have oscars which are quite possably the biggest bullying cichlids you can keep. Severums are one of the more quieter and more placid cichlids. And as for your tinfoil barb the Oscars will proberbly chase him round all day but won't catch him unless he has his guard down as they a very skitish and fast swimmers.

My advice to you would be to add more decor to your tank and divide it up so the fish have there own territory failing that you may have to get rid of one or the other. Finding compatable tank mates is always hit and miss ... trial and error fish you think will be fine together and have prooven to be great together on paper can always go the other way.

Good luck.

I agree.

I've never been a fan of oscars so my advice would be to take the oscar to your lfs and either get another young oscar or another young cichlid that can live in peace with the severums.

 

[peaches]

Thank you repair, danDanUK, and Puffer !!!

~I figured that... I just don't get how people I read and see all the time keep lots of different types of fish--usually lots of cichlids and I guess they do fine. I just can't believe I can't even keep a few of my cichlids.... The hard part is I get attached to all my fish and have a very hard time just deciding to "let go" Sometimes I feel like it's not fair to the fish to be brought to the conditions petstores often keep their fish in. But I don't know. I do have my aquarium decorated with petrified wood, large stones and just a few plastic plants.

Maybe I'll post a picture of my aquarium if I can... Just for some ideas on what I'm dealing with.... Anyway, thanks you guys. I hope to get more advice from the great people on here.....

~105 gallon~ WHEN it was stocked with fish*
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[quix]

too open in my opinion..u need more decorations..driftwood/plants to break line of sight..may help to improve things..

 

[puffer_girl]

I agree, the tank is definitely too open! You need more decorations and hiding places. The decorations help break up the fishes line of sight which you need. Their territory extends as far as they can see!!!

 

[peaches]

So I should add a bunch of big pieces of driftwood and plants? I would do that but I didn't want to lessen the amount of swimming room my active barbs need....

But I guess I can try that. I hope something works. I am very reluctant to try my cichlids again... I don't know how much more abuse my barbs can take from chasings and nips. They are so beautiful now with no nipped fins or scales. I may end up giving somebody away--despite my feelings---yes, I admit it, I'm a sissy about that.

It's hard to have driftwood, rocks, plants ect.. with quick moving and nervous easy-to-spook fish like tinfoil barbs.

I'll figure out something... More suggestions welcome!
THANKS A BUNCH!!!!
Peaches~
(updates soon)

 

[puffer_girl]

Don't think you really have much of a choice with as territorial as the severums and oscar are. Can't you keep the barbs in a separate tank? Maybe with something more compatible?

 

[puffer_girl]

The oscars are rather difficult as far as tank mates from my experiences..... Mine often got along fine and then all of a sudden would become abusive for no apparent reason..... My one oscar even killed a 10" pleco that really just did his own thing! Unfortunately there are no guarantees when it comes to tank mates but I do think adding some decorations would be a good place to start as far as your tank goes. Which, by the way, is very nice!