Attacks In Tank Cant Find Culprit

[ally72]

Hy, I have a 400ltr tank with
2 5 inch copper oscars
1 7 to 8 inch albino oscar
2 5 inch clown loaches
1 6 inch gold algie eater ? sory dont know the propper name
2 7 inch common plecs
and I had two tinfoil barbs around 5 inch
and 1 8 inch synodontis nigretra.

I took the catfish because the owner was going to flush him/her and 4 days later on christmas morning I found both barbs dead ? I had only cleaned the tank out the night before and woried this might have something to do with it, then found marks on the sides of the fish, scales missing in a line down the side.
So i thought it must be the albino oscar being the largest fish and knowing how mutch he likes his sleep i thought he might be the culprit but now this morning the two copper oscars have marks on them and the albino has a mark under his chin, on the copper oscars its marks on the side and one has a line of scales missing from his chin to his belly bout an inch like something draged down him which got me thinking about the cat ? i did catch him chasing one of the copper oscars round the tank the other day but then he hid dont realy see mutch of him and i guessed they were just playing because i thought , well sounds daft now im typing it, I know all the arrows are pointed at him but wanted to consult before offering him to friends or the local shop that i know will take him.

thanks for any advice in advance cheer's ally...

 

[Ludwig Venter]

I often see when a fish dies, they are then attacked by others, & in most cases, the one seen eating at the bodies are then considered to be the culprit.... (I've even heard someone say,.... "do not keep those apple snails..... I've actually seen one catch one of my Tiger barbs".... ...

Maybe they just died of something, & was later eaten.... Not necessarily killed by any.

 

[minxfishy]

Sorry to sound condescending, but these questions will need to be answered in order for someone to help you out.

How long has the tank been set up? Water stats, ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte? These are needed to rule out any water quality problems that could be causing fish to die or at least weaken them enough for a larger fish to find them dinner.

 

[ally72]

I often see when a fish dies, they are then attacked by others, & in most cases, the one seen eating at the bodies are then considered to be the culprit.... (I've even heard someone say,.... "do not keep those apple snails..... I've actually seen one catch one of my Tiger barbs".... ...

Maybe they just died of something, & was later eaten.... Not necessarily killed by any.

I see wat your saying but the two copper oscars are verry healthy but have the marks on them since yesterday, somethings been at them, I will check the water qual though thank you.

 

[ally72]

Sorry to sound condescending, but these questions will need to be answered in order for someone to help you out.

How long has the tank been set up? Water stats, ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte? These are needed to rule out any water quality problems that could be causing fish to die or at least weaken them enough for a larger fish to find them dinner.

not condescending at all, im here asking for help and should have given you the full picture.

the tank has been set up for 3 months, with 50% mature water from another tank
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrate 17ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
pH 6.5

all looks ok ?

thank you for helping!! ally...

 

[Truck]

50% mature water doesnt contain anything of any use to a new tank. apart from maybe some stability properties

 

[nosoup4you]

I'd venture to say that your Oscars are scuffling amongst themselves. I don't think that the Synodontis is your culprit.

 

[ally72]

I'd venture to say that your Oscars are scuffling amongst themselves. I don't think that the Synodontis is your culprit.

do you think it would help if i fed the oscars a little more often, I had cut down from 2 to once a day as they were sleeping all the time ???

 

[minxfishy]

Oscars will scuffle to establish dominance, I would be feeding them more than once a day, you dont need to drop the feeding until they are larger when they would become less active. Im suprised to hear they are sleeping all the time, they should still be pretty active at those sizes, what temp is the tank at?

 

[ally72]

Oscars will scuffle to establish dominance, I would be feeding them more than once a day, you dont need to drop the feeding until they are larger when they would become less active. Im suprised to hear they are sleeping all the time, they should still be pretty active at those sizes, what temp is the tank at?

it was only the older albino oscar that was sleeping alot, the water is between 27 and 28'
the two coppers are pretty active

have been keeping close tabs on them today and all seems well ?
even the catfish has been out more today than normal during daylight,

im going to get a new tester kit tomorrow "better one" as finnished mine today and check the stats on all my tanks again,
ive learned loads today looking through the forum and cant thank you all enough !

have a great new year !!!

thanks again ally