Problems with Pim Blochii.

I have a Pim blichii (4-line) that is getting increasingly aggressive. At least I was told he is a 4-line (by the people at planetcatfish), 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?

He has a piece of pvc which he hides out in during the day. The tank is a 46g bowfront. With just him and the small oscar, no other tankmates.

I've kept the Pim with numerous types of fish in the past and he was fine, even small fish that he could have eaten, but he kept to himself and didn't bother anyone.

For some reason he finds the oscar interesting. I even thought maybe because of the bright colour of the oscar, it's a Albino/Lutino. Or maybe he's just maturing and becoming territorial.. Since most of the nipping occurs when the oscar is near the bottom or near the Pims pvc hideout.

Well the damage is pretty minimal so far, the oscar heals pretty quick.. I guess I could wait it out and see if it continues when they are put in a much larger tank.

Here's the exact pic I posted on Planetcatfish. I'm wondering if he's some sort of hybrid or something.. He's a little pale in this pic and I brightened it so the people at planetcatfish could seen a bit better, since my camera is a cheapy.. lol This pic is from november of last year.. so he's a bit bigger now... But he has no spotting like the other pictures I've seen of 4-line Pims.. I had thought maybe he was Pim Clarias. But they don't think so. Maybe a hybrid of the two? Who knows.. lol

Thanks for the help.

I really want to keep him. He's one of my favourites. But I don't have another tank big enough to move him into. I guess I'll just wait it out. If he continues the aggression once moved to a larger tank then I'll have to re-home him.

I'll see if I can find anything on 3-line Pim. But he does look similar to Pim Clarias as well. I wish the stores would do a better job of labeling their fish correctly. Drives me crazy.. lol

Well it looks as though the Pictus may have to go before the tank upgrade. I really don't understand the recent and sudden aggression. But it's progressing to the point that my Oscar is looking like he went through severe battle on a nightly basis.

I woke up this morning to an oscar with a bloody head with a nice chunk of skin missing and more torn fins. This is just getting crazy.

The pictus is nipping at him during the night while the oscar is 'sleeping' which is sending the oscar into a panic and he's bashing himself up. Which I've watched happen every night within 10 minutes of the tank light going off. The oscar has taking to 'sleeping' in the top corner of the tank, which is unusual. But the Pictus litterally searches until he finds him. I just don't get it.

The oscar is also starting to fight back so to speak.. So before they really damage each other I think it's best to re-home the Pictus. The oscar will get this tank and the new one to himself.

Thanks for the help..