Why a Severum shouldn't f*** with a big Oscar...

[FINWIN]

Tank size is 225, 6ft. Total of 6 fish including two featherfins who aren't a factor. Severum, Oscar, BP, and Chocolate.

Sizes Oscar 12, Severum 7+, BP 6-7, Chocolate 6.

This whole situation I believe was a response to the chronic issues caused by the Severum. He was the 'straw that stirred the drink' so to speak. Pecking at fish, following them around, attacking them when eating, annoying them by trying to 'take' their turf, etc. Just constantly looking for fights that he would lose, then still come back for more. Tank is actually pretty peaceful for cichlids 90 percent of the time. Whenever hell breaks loose its due to the Severum. Other than that its just a random nudge and chase sometimes.

Right now he's acting like a 'broken' fish. If anyone approaches he presents his side and turns away. Tried to get him to eat one of his favorite foods, blackworms. He immediately ducked his head and listed sideways...he's very protective of his head since he got bitten. I'm going to go slow with him. Hopefully he'll come around in a few days. He showed a spark when the Choc came to test him. His submissive behavior is buying him peace right now.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Tank size is 225, 6ft. Total of 6 fish including two featherfins who aren't a factor. Severum, Oscar, BP, and Chocolate.

Sizes Oscar 12, Severum 7+, BP 6-7, Chocolate 6.

This whole situation I believe was a response to the chronic issues caused by the Severum. He was the 'straw that stirred the drink' so to speak. Pecking at fish, following them around, attacking them when eating, annoying them by trying to 'take' their turf, etc. Just constantly looking for fights that he would lose, then still come back for more. Tank is actually pretty peaceful for cichlids 90 percent of the time. Whenever hell breaks loose its due to the Severum. Other than that its just a random nudge and chase sometimes.

Right now he's acting like a 'broken' fish. If anyone approaches he presents his side and turns away. Tried to get him to eat one of his favorite foods, blackworms. He immediately ducked his head and listed sideways...he's very protective of his head since he got bitten. I'm going to go slow with him. Hopefully he'll come around in a few days. He showed a spark when the Choc came to test him. His submissive behavior is buying him peace right now.

I see. A 225 should be adequate, but as you have proven a very rambunctious sev can still cause problems.

I have a similar sized severum in my community that is the resident a-hole. That being said he doesnt cause many problems, sometimes a ruckus at feeding time and chasing when he and his gold lady spawn. But he is among the largest fish in the tank so that may be part of it.

 

[duanes]

Most mature cichlids of 10" or more, when becoming territorial, will defend an area of about 250 gallons just for themselves, and only break off chase at that defensive position, or boundary.
I have watched cichlids in nature like a male uropthalmus attack any other cichlid that ventures in, in even larger territorial areas.
That said....if a group of 4 (or more)cichlids grow up together in a tank as juvies, they may have determined self imposed boundaries within the limits of the tank. But add anything new, and that new fish, is at a distinct disadvantage.
While a 225 may seem an adequate box filled with water by human standards, to a large cichlid it may seem quite limited.
At the moment I have a 180 with a number of 3"-5" Andinoacara, and a pair spawned.
That pair now defend, and have pushed, all others to half (perhaps less than half) of the 6 ft tank, and these cichlids are quite small compared to the likes of Oscars, Chocolates, and the others mentioned.
I usually consider tanks in that 6 ft size range, to only be adequate enough for a pair of mature cichlids in the 10"-12" (maybe slightly larger) adult size range.

 

[FINWIN]

Most mature cichlids of 10" or more, when becoming territorial, will defend an area of about 250 gallons just for themselves, and only break off chase at that defensive position, or boundary.
I have watched cichlids in nature like a male uropthalmus attack any other cichlid that ventures in, in even larger territorial areas.
That said....if a group of 4 (or more)cichlids grow up together in a tank as juvies, they may have determined self imposed boundaries within the limits of the tank. But add anything new, and that new fish, is at a distinct disadvantage.
While a 225 may seem an adequate box filled with water by human standards, to a large cichlid it may seem quite limited.
At the moment I have a 180 with a number of 3"-5" Andinoacara, and a pair spawned.
That pair now defend, and have pushed, all others to half (perhaps less than half) of the 6 ft tank, and these cichlids are quite small compared to the likes of Oscars, Chocolates, and the others mentioned.
I usually consider tanks in that 6 ft size range, to only be adequate enough for a pair of mature cichlids in the 10"-12" (maybe slightly larger) adult size range.

'
You know it's interesting, my Oscar is beginning to make the 225 look like a 180. My cousin thought he was a three year old...I said "nope, just past one." Big fish do tend to make big tanks shrink as they grow! He's scaped out 1/3 of the tank as his private area (only the parrot can go in) and it's calmed him tremendously. The Chocolate has learned to navigate the others and finds his own room. The BP owns about 1/3 on the opposite side...so yeah, start splitting up that space and it gets boxy, quick. Chip's just a screwball @hole. You'd think getting the crap pounded out of you would make you stop, but not this yo-yo. He loses every fight, yet goes back for more. He's spent more time recovering from injuries than any fish I've ever had. Split fins, stripped scales, abrasions and bites...you name it.

Here are some pics...his bottom fin is a bit tatty. Behavior is wonky, too.

 

[FINWIN]

One pic with Bobo the Choc. He's coming out of his shell a little.

 

[FINWIN]

Brick shows up and he clears out. There was no aggression by the oscar here...just the sight of him sends Chip flying.

 

[Eclipse390]

Would you consider rehoming the Severum? The constant stress is just going to bring on disease & the fights are never going to stop. One day you'll come home to a dead fish - I've been there with my past Oscars.

 

[FINWIN]

Would you consider rehoming the Severum? The constant stress is just going to bring on disease & the fights are never going to stop. One day you'll come home to a dead fish - I've been there with my past Oscars.

That may be the only true solution. I will see how things go right now before making a decision. I kind of hate to consider it since I've invested nearly a year growing out this guy...makes it tougher.

 

[FINWIN]

Follow up question if anyone can answer. So far, so good. All's quiet in the tank. I've also discovered why Chip isn't swimming consistently. His anal fin is tattered and partially missing, I think. For whatever reason he won't/can't extend the existing fin out to swim. Everything else is showing improvement, the scars are shrinking to dots. He's not hiding at all but oddly enough he's showing his 'back' to the front of the tank. Does this for hours on end.

I guess my question is this. Can a brief or crazy ph/ammonia spike cause fin decay? I had him in a 5gl bucket for two days with constant water replenishing with Prime. No feedings. Water clouded twice. Second time it clouded I found him just in time, which is when I made the decision to put him back in the main tank. But its almost like some of the lower fin has dissolved or something, it makes no sense. I think if the fin were normal he'd be swimming as usual. Right now he swims sometimes but prefers to "sit" out in the open. All of his other fins are intact except the lower one, it's weird.

 

[FINWIN]

Correction. Anal fin damage was part of the "action." Chip is doing better. He's starting to open (what's left of) his anal fin when he swims. Baby steps. Wounds coming along nicely. Giant water change in progress. I'm guessing it will take awhile to regenerate properly? There are just strings of rays in spots. The main part near his body is still there it seems.