CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hey guys, I finally bought another fish for Jack. No, not another oscar, just a pleco. It's about 12 inches also and Jack seems to hate it. Everytime it moves, Jack attacks it, biting it, thrashing it, whatever he can do. He does the tail fluttering thing, swims with his rear and belly fins touching the pleco, just waiting for it to move out of the way and as soon as it does, he attacks...I had hoped to base this reaction for the idea of getting another actual fish, but he's not taking it too well...

If it weren't for the hard shell on the pleco, he'd be done for....I'm thinking of looking into a piece of plexi-glass or something for a see through tank divider to get Jack used to having another fish in "his" tank...Well, guys, at this point, the chance of Jack getting another freeswimming fish isn't good. He'd probably kill it.

Oh, by the way, at this LFS where they sell big fish also, a 6 inch oscar was going for $19.99. I wonder what they'd charge for a 12 inch?? LOL Just Kidding!!

Anyhow, any other suggestions? I guess that as long as Jack doesn't go for the eyes or belly he should be fine right?

I was thinking of calling the pleco Jill. I'd have Jack and Jill. When my daughter gets older she'll think it's cute... LOL

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Jen

I think he may very well get along much better with another oscar than the pleco, especially if of the opposite sex of course

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Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

You really do like the opposite sex thing don't you! LOL, I found a red velvet oscar for 19.99 I was thinking about, but most of the fish at that store are pretty torn up...The velvet was in the best shape, but it looked like a male if the pointy fin thing is accurate, although they didn't overlap. Problem is, it was about 6 in, and jack is passing 12in. He'd kill the poor thing!

Oh, about the pleco. I've been applying this strategy, but I don't know if it's doing more harm than good. When I see Jack picking on it, I walk up to the tank and poke at Jack to get him to back off. (Not in the water though, just through the glass) It works for about 2 min, then he's at it again. Do you think he could be too large for Jack? They are both about the same length if the pleco isn't a tad bit longer. Maybe it's too intimidating for him to deal with? Who kows...I just know I feel like I've adopted another toddler! And one it it's terrible twos at that! LOL

Oh, one more thing....Am I right about the hard shell protecting the pleco? He doesn't seem to be getting nicked....tossed around a bit, yes, but nicked, no...

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Jen

[This message has been edited by Repunz (edited 11-30-2000).]

if you haven't already you should try mixing the decorations around a bit to disorient jack that way mamaybe he will back off of that poor pl*co a bit.