pictus cat behavior ??

[onepawnup]

i bought two pictus cats from the same tank at lfs but i bought them a day apart... when i put in the new one they started latching on to each others fins in what looks like fighting to me
do they do this untill they figure out who is dominate or will it continue untill one is dead ? i have the seperated until i get some advice

thanks
Onepawn

 

[daveedka]

I can honestly say I have never seen this behavior from Pictus cats. It would almost be worth a picture if you could get one. In the meantime, are they eating? what are you feeding them? and do they have hiding places? I have kept pictus in pairs and groups in several tanks and never seen more than an occasional face to face fight for a hiding place.
Dave

 

[onepawnup]

Dave i could get you a pic but that would mean putting them back in the same tank together which im not sure i wanna do if they are gonna kill each other.
I fed the first one aquarian shrimp pellets but didnt actually see him eat
hadnt fed the second as this behavior started about 5 mins after he got in the tank
as far as i could tell they seem to be evenly matched but seperated them before they could tear a fin or whisker.
they did this for about 10 mins before i removed one

both are about 2.5-3 inches long

 

[daveedka]

How Big is the tank? My experience is that pictus get along and/or even prefer to be in pairs. It is best that you seperated them, but it also seems odd that you would have to. Try estabilishing 2 or 3 extra hiding places and then re-introduce them to to each other. Usually they will each find a suitable hiding spot and not bother each other unless one or the other encroaches. Pictus are highly territorial, with very small territories. In other words they usually pick an area of a few square inches and defend it it while gladly sharing the rest of the tank and interacting with other fish. I have never seen one in a prolonged fight of any kind. They usually only get mean for a few seconds at a time.

It may also be that you just lucked in to a pair that hate each other. Some fish have individual personalities and the nrm does not always work.
Dave

 

[onepawnup]

dave this happened in a 35 gal .i will be moving them to a 55 gal (i screw up and its recycling) or i should be getting a 120 gal in a few weeks ..i may just wait untill then to try to put them back toghether

if they keep fighting then ill try to get you a pic

 

[daveedka]

I've never tried them in a tank snaller than 55. It may just be a space thing. I'd give the 55 a go when it's ready, and see how that works out. And Let us know when that time comes how things work out.
Dave