I've just recently added a Pictus and a Hoplo to my tank. Hoplo is OK but i've got a chinese algae loach (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) and he seems to have taken a dislike to poor pictus. Loach is about 5 inch, both Pictus and hoplo are smaller. I understood these loaches can be terratorial with their own kind - am I mis-informed, advice please.
Why is my Pictus getting bullied.
- Thread starter octofasciatus
- Start date
Man those piscus are quite tricky IMO, i've gone through three with no success. Someone told me, after the fact, that they do better in groups 3 or more. What else is in the tank with them? alot of fish pick on them because of their loooonng whiskers maybe can get more insight if i knew there tankmates.
Yeah no other usual suspects, all other tank mates are at peace. I've seen this loach chase pictus out from wherever he hangs out. The loach is a busy grazer and can be frequently seen in different places. If loach appears near pictus he wiil dart for him 2 or 3 times as pictus makes his escape. For the record as well as these 2 fish there is 1 hoplo cat, 5 corydorus, 6 tiger barbs, 2clown loach, kissing gourami, black widow tetra, 2 glowlight tetra.
cheers
cheers
Pictus are not generally aggressive but they will eat anything that can fit in there mouth not so much aggressive as hungry. Pictus eat whatever you feed them or they can find (as well as any small fishes that will fit into their smallish mouths). They do look good in a shole and I have always had at least 4 in the tank at one time in the past.
You need to get a couple more of them. I had the same problem when I just had one...I added a few more and now that group rules the tank.
Cheers elevatethis, i got another they're much happier now ... and bigger . I suspect they are responsible for the deaths of 2 glowlights that mysteriously got chomped during the night.
yeah the bigger the algae eaters get meaner as they get bigger and older too. i had one that was 8" that just died in a power outtage i had. but he used to chase everything in the tank. even though he couldn't really do much dammage he still stressed some of the fish sometimes.
Chinese Algae Eater - Done some research. They're not from China and they dont eat algae when they get older. They should really be re-named.