new to forum

[kittiecat]

Hi I have a red tailed shark who chases my pictus catfish constantly. Why?

[smaug]

because rts are an aggressive fish.What size tank are they in?

[kittiecat]

it's a 37 gallon. They are about the same size. He used to chase the smaller fish, but now he only focuses on the catfish.

[Maisy]

Oh, yes, I bet it's because of the typical RTS behavior.
I don't know much about them, nor ever kept them or pictus cats. Though I think pictus are pretty neat.

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll be able to find information on how to end the fighting. :ssmile:
There's so many knowledgeable people on here.

[kittiecat]

Thanks I hope so too. He's beautiful but I'm starting to think about getting rid of him.

[smaug]

does the pictus have any hiding spots in the tank to escape the rts?

[kittiecat]

yes plus he's like 10 times faster. He always trips him up. The guy at the fish store told me the catfish was aggressive he seems docile to me.

[smaug]

Hes not getting a chance to be aggressive at the moment.They usually are the chasers.If it cant be quelled one of them will have to go.The stress from it will take its toll on the pictus.

[kittiecat]

i was thinking of getting rid of the shark.

[Pleco380]

Welcome to the AC forum! How big is the RTS? CAE's and RTS are examples of aggressive fish but there are some wierd ones that don't get aggressive. I had a CAE who was very aggressive. I currently have a 2.5" RTS who was always calm. Suddenly he targetted the largest yoyo loach. The loach is a bit bossy though. He's the oldest fish so thinks the tank is his. So for about a week he chased the loach. One day the shark had a slightly torn fin and since then he keeps to himself. I figure the loach just got ticked off. Now the RTS just eats algae off the glass. So RTS can be risky fish. If the catfish shows signs of stress or injury, sell the shark. I've heard of one killing an african cichlid.

[eroc1085]

Red-tail Shark are semi-aggressive... typically they say to keep only one. So, i think that if your pictus is about the same size it prob feels its a threat, or another RTS.. Not 100% sure, but i agree with the earlier post. One has to go. Stress is nooo good