OK. I don't like telling or even suggesting to members that they get rid of this or that fish, so I generally note the issues and leave it to them. Once one has the fish, one is in a very different position compared to someone asking in advance. Though not everyone will listen to seasoned advice no matter. Thank you for wanting to know/learn. And I will always do my best to assist such members, it is why I am here.
The pictus may or may not be the problem, there really is no way to know unless it is seen. It is certainly a possibility. The rams should probably be separated, but I would want to see their interaction if it were me. But solely on the basis of my knowledge of these two species, I would presume the two rams to be the issue, not the pictus. Just understand this is surmise from knowing these two species' inherent traits.
If the rams could be separated, that would possibly make it more obvious if the pictus is or is not involved. I would suggest that one of these rams is not going to last long, and it is likely the one in hiding, if the issue is between them.
A few years ago, before I had learned of the natural behaviours of this species. I had a beautiful male Bolivian Ram in my 5-foot 115g Amazonian river tank, and had him for a couple of years when I decided to try and find a female. Eventually a local store received a shipment of Bolivians that were clearly in very good health and condition, so I stood in front of the tank and after several minutes identified a lovely female, and I acquired her. When introduced to my tank with the male, they found each other after a few few minutes. There was some lovely displaying, and I though all was well. They even spawned four times. But looking back with the benefit of hindsight and knowledge, at their back-and-forth interactions, when one spawning the female took charge (as expected), but at the second the male fiercely attacked and drove her away and tended the eggs himself (not expected), and between spawnings it was fierce male one day, and fierce female the next...clearly the pair did not bond. Two more spawnings, then overnight the male killed the female. And this was in a comparatively large tank, very heavily planted. We just cannot assume nature is going to change; species are the way they are because that is how they evolved. Sometimes we can affect things, though usually this is more negative than positive in the end; but fish are the way they are for good reason, and we will have better luck if we understand that and accept it. After all, nothing less is really kind and humane to the fish.
Does this help at all?
