how much agression is too much

Darrin

AC Members
Jan 28, 2007
17
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0
Indianapolis
I have two tanks: an empty 55 gallon and a 100 gallon with an oscar and a salvini. I thought the two could be tankmates, but I am somewhat concerned for the oscar, which I must admit, is by far my favorite.

The two fish have locked lips on a couple of occasions. Now the oscar seems to try and ignore the salvini, but no matter where he goes, the salvnini isn't far behind. Tonight, I noticed the slavini flaring his gills and charging the oscar, who again, does nothing. I have not seen them actually make contact, other then when they locked lips.

Is this too much aggression? Is it a matter of time before they really do fight and I have dead oscar? The salvini is in perfect fin, but the oscar does have a couple fin nicks. I am thinking I will put the salvini in the 55 by himself until I get a better understanding of what is going on.

Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated. The oscar is slighly bigger, about five inches. The salvini is about 4 1/2 inches. The tank also has five giant dianos, which niether the oscar nor the salvini bother.

Thanks.
 
If the oscar is forced into a corner of the tank or is getting harrased constantly its probably a little too much aggression. Right now it doesn't sound too bad but if it does get out of hand your salvini will be perfectly happy in the 55.
 
i'd move the salvini. the oscar is under a lot of stress and will exhibit some disease process sooner or later.
 
i'd move the salvini. the oscar is under a lot of stress and will exhibit some disease process sooner or later.
Dido here & the disease will could easily affect the WHOLE community someone will need to go. How often are you feeding them, w/ the 2 fish being so close in size w/ each other there "might" be some problem w/ Salvini feeling threatned where his food source is concerned. Not always, but sometimes smaller, but more often feedings will help aggression, sometimes. And do they have some place to hide or at least feel "safe" w/ the Salvini being know to be on the high side of aggresive, if he has no where to stake his own, then maybe he on the whole tanks mine sinario. He def need's to be kept w/ fish that will at least themselves, since the Oscar isn't much bigger & not so much on the aggresive side then another a few inches bigger may be alright w/ him. Just a thought:)
 
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I'd seperate them.
 
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