Pictus Question

[jscurrier]

I have 2 Pictus right now and one is defenitely dominant. "Owns" the rock cave while the other is much smaller and swims under a chunk of driftwood. The two do not get along at all. The bigger one is around 5 inches with the smaller one at about 3 inches. I'm counting the days for my big tank (still waiting on an IRS check for getting a new house). I'm wondering if I should get a couple more, or just see how the two do in the new set up. I thought that since they would be going into a new tank, If I got a couple more, they would all be in the same boat without "territorial disputes" taking place. I plan on having plenty of hiding places for the fish. The tank is a 150 long. Should be setting it up in mid to late January (getting new carpeting first). I also have 2 senegal bichirs and a BN pleco. The pleco is about 4 inches and the bichirs are getting close to 6 inches now.

[Amazon]

I would get a couple more. And to deal with territorys rearrange your tank so they will all need to find new places. It should be fine then if not Im not sure what to do.

[Lab_Rat]

Agree with getting a couple more, along with lots of caves and hiding spots for them. I have 4 in my 75g and haven't noticed territorial issues yet.

[Oscar_freak12321]

Pictus are kind of like African cichlids. The more you have, the more the aggression is distributed.

[Crispy]

I had 2 pictus in a 6' tank and they were still territorial with eachother. Some say having 4+ helps this, but I dunno.. I traded one away.

[jscurrier]

thanks, I'll get a couple more then. I plan on getting two large pieces of driftwood with nooks and crannies. Also going to make a rock formation and java moss/PVC pipe hidaway. Should be plenty of places to hide.. I hope. Going to plant it with lots of easy to care for stuff to begin with. Amazon Sword, Java fern, moss, some low ground cover stuff.. etc. I'm excited (just wish that darn check would come in the mail already, been 13 weeks since I sent the form in..... my fishies need space!)

[jay2487]

I have two and there the best of friends, one is about an inch smaller than the other but they both live in the same cave and come out together to eat. Never had a territorial issue out of them. I plan on getting 2 or 3 more as it is suggested but haven't had any problems out of 2

[VoidParadigm]

Agree with all the above. Add more, or get rid of one. Pictus are really hit or miss with the whole schooling thing. Some fare well with company, others are complete donkeys.