Problems with Pim Blochii.

[RaYne]

I have a Pim blichii (4-line) that is getting increasingly aggressive. At least I was told he is a 4-line just minus the spotting on the upper body. He's approx 5 inches without tail. And shares a tank with a Juvenile oscar that is approx 3.5-4 inches without tail. Definately too big to be thought of as food. Or so I thought. So far damage to the oscar is minimal. Torn fins mainly. I had originally thought the oscar was brushing up against the filter intakes until I saw the Pim chewing on his tail fin. The Pim has always been pretty peaceful up until now. I'm not quite sure what to make of it.. or to do about it.

I can't find any info other than what I already know about Blochii. Nothing in there about increased aggression with age.. ect.

I thought maybe it was related to tank size.. They are currently the only occupants of a 46g bowfront, (Until I save up enough for a larger tank). But I ruled that out when I watched the Pim litterally search out the Oscar to chew on him. I make sure the Pim is well fed.. buldging belly and all before I turn out the tank lights. But the nipping still continues.

Does anyone have a sub-adult or adult 4-line that can fill me in on thier behaviour?

[FatCat]

I have an P. Albofasciatus, White line pim very similar to yours and he is as gental as a teddy bear. Perfect gentleman. I would have to question the agression if you had not seen it first hand. But that leaves no doubt. It is a shame to hear that he is feasting on your oscar as they are very peacful and gentle fish as well. Do you have a very good cave for your pim? That is my only theory unfortunately.

[Silurus]

I have a pair of blochiis in my tank, and they have gotten along well with the other cats in there (Burmese upside down, false jaguar cat, butter cat, etc.) as well as with each other. Minor skirmishes, but no long term damag.

[RaYne]

He has a piece of pvc which he uses during the day. There is also another hideout between two pieces of driftwood which he uses occasionally. I've noticied that he is also venturing out during the day. Which he never did before, he always waited until lights out to cruise the tank.

I also have to handfeed him due to the endless appetite of the oscar. And he's also getting increasingly rowdy with me. The nipping isn't so bad but those fins... ouch! LOL

But he's looks healthy.. and eats well. My water quality is good. No ammo, no Nitrite, 10ppm Nitrate. PH 6.5.

I just find it odd how he's had a sudden change in behaviour.. But I'm hoping his attitude will improve once they are both moved to a much larger tank.

[kateswan]

RaYne -

How did your blochii/oscar duo settle down?

I find myself with a similar situation. This summer I purchased a couple of tanks that came with some large fish -- a 9 in.+ blochii, a 13 in. + iridescent shark, and 2 7 in.+ silver dollar tetras. All these fish were in a 70 gallon tank. I divided them up right away into two tanks, the blochii/tetras in one, the shark in the other.

Three weeks ago all the fish went into a new 220 gal. tank. For the first 2 weeks everything was great . . . this weekend I noticed a "nip" on the shark's tail. Surveillance has revealed that the blochii is throwing his weight around, shouldering the shark, and nipping at his tail a bit. They both hang out in the same corner when the shark is having his down time.

Until now I would have said these guys were buddies, they swim together and the blochii will frequently edge underneath the shark and just sit.

Could this be a territorial dispute in a new tank? Or is the blochii trying to indicate that he's the ruler of the new tank?

Fortunately the shark isn't going ballistic. He's big enough to give the blochii a good shove if he wanted to.

Kathy S

[RaYne]

The aggression eventually slowed down, but never stopped completely. The Blochii still gave the oscar the occasional chase. But the damage remained minimal. Except for one time when the Pim startled the oscar and he smashed into the hood, cutting up his head.

I ended up moving the Pim to his own tank until my 100g is ready. Then I'm going to try again, and see if he's still going to cause trouble.