This sounds like ICK and must be treated. There are many medications available but some are not suitable for use on the pictus because they are scaleless. Read directions carefully before using or ask someone at your fish store for meds to treat scaleless fish.

Thank you for the replies. they are doing better already. Two have chosen favorite spots along the bottom of the tank and the third has been hanging around the middle of the tank. The fighting is less nipping and more circling one another on occasion.

OK, I rearranged some stuff in the tank. They are still fighting but not as constant. It is only two of them. the third is staying out of it. They are all the same size and have enough places to hide behind. i hope they figure it out...I hate watching them fight. Any idea how long it will take them ...

I had one spotted pictus in a 55 gallon and took some advice from this board and purchased two more since they are a shoaling fish. My problem is that they are nipping at each other. Is this normal? Will I need to return two of them? Any advice on this type of behavior would be appreciated.

Thanks! My water is in good condition. with an Oscar I do frequent water changes and testing. First thing in the morning I will get "felix" some friends. I wish I could get this type of info from the aquarium store where I shop. Thank goodness there are these boards that have people with experience ...

How many should be kept together? Would two or three be ok or do they need large groups?

I have one spotted pictus in a 55 gallon tank with one Tiger Oscar. Both are about 4 inches in length. They get along really well. My question is about pictus behavior. Are they generally active fish? My little cat is in constant motion all over the tank. I have read that they are bottom dwellers ...