Is this normal?

[smb7676]

I was looking at the tank the other day and my otto was chasing my Roseline shark around the tank. I thought it was cute so I huge out to see how it would go on. My otto chases the shark then kinda sucks on for a sec or two then swims off to eat. No harm being done to the shark at least that I can see. But I have noticed the shark will kida swim by and push the otto off a leaf some times. It isn't a constant thing that is happining but it has happened more than once. Are they friends ? And if not is there any harm being done to the shark? the otto seems fine with being pushed off the plant every now and again. I think the otto thinks he runs the tank and the shark is trying to give him a reality check .
Fish

 

[rdd1952]

I wouldn't think that was good but I've never heard of otos attacking other fish. Mine are kind of shy and are either stuck to the side of the tank or on a leaf.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

maybe cleaning the slime coat off?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

a hungry oto will try to eat slime coats just like any other variety of sucker-fish. i've seen one systematically attacking gouramis in an LFS. what do you feed in this tank? it could be hunger or just aggression.

 

[BettaMomma]

Maybe they think they're monkeys and he's trying to pick "bugs" off him. LOL

I don't have anything beneficial to add to your speculation cuz I know next to nuthin about fish other than bettas, so I just thought I'd throw in a comment.

Hope you get your fishy things straightened out!

 

[smb7676]

I feed him algea wafers once a week and I see him eat them but other than that I can see algea on things in my tank. HE would have to be blind not to see it !! He really doesn't seem to be aggressive other than messing around if that makes sense. Maybe he is eating slim , will it hurt the shark I mean it only happens once in awhile its not like the otto is getting freq. flyer miles.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

try stepping up the algae wafers to twice a week and see if that alters his behavior. algae eaters won't eat some varieties of algae; what you're seeing in the tank may not be appetizing to your oto.

if increasing the feeding for a few weeks results in no change in behavior and the shark does not appear to be suffering, i'd just let it be. i know my oto tends to piggyback the other algae eaters in my tank at feeding time, but so far no one seems to be the worse for it. since everyone in my tank likes the spirulina, i feed two tabs everyday so i'm pretty sure nobody is underfed.

i'd still keep an eye on things and make certain that it doesn't escalate.

 

[astroboy]

Its not good for the fish.

Getting its slime coat taken off will make it more susceptible to infection.
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