CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I have an Oscar, a Jack Dempsey and a Pleco in a 55gal. long tank. The Dempsey is just a little bigger than the Oscar is and they're not getting along so well. Granted, I just put them in the tank this afternoon.

Whats happening is the Oscar is literally following the Dempsey everywhere it goes. From one side of the tank to the other, the Oscar is always in tow. The Oscar is not aggressive what so ever, it looks like hes trying to actually school with the Dempsey. After a while the Dempsey starts picking at the Oscar and getting fairly aggressive. The Dempsey doesnt seem to be looking for trouble, but just getting annoyed with the Oscar.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help them get along a little better, or does it just take more time?

lol thats funny because i also have an oscar and a jack dempsey but my oscar is bigger than the dempsey and the dempsey follows the oscar around.

for my dempsy it is because he grabs all the bits of food my oscar spits out.

Couple of questions:

How big are the fish?

Are there any available hiding places in your tank where they can go to feel "secure"?

The Dempsey is about 4.5in and the Oscar is about 4in, theres two hiding spots, one at each end of the tank. One is a largely planted area with a small niche cut out, the other is a tube which is large enough for either one to go into completely.

As an update though, the Dempsey seems to be getting used to being followed, there are no visible signs that the Oscar got picked on overnight, and after watching them off and on this morning there doesnt seem to be any aggression anymore.

The Oscar still does follow the Dempsey when he moves around, but while the Dempsey is hiding the Oscar paces the tank following anyone who walks by like he always does.

Deleted - Double post