I need help with something and anyone who can help it would be appreciated!

Has anyone got any Synodontis Catfish and can give me any advice on this? I've bought two today and one of them sort of bullies the other one. It's a large tank so we thought we wouldn't have this problem but they keep chasing each other and when the slightly smaller one settles on the sand in the corner, the other one comes over and pecks it and then chases it around the tank. I thought they were good in groups and they're perfect with the oscars.. and now I don't know what to do!

I can't separate them because I don't have the resources and I've got a few tunnels in the tank etc so they can hide but this is no use (and the new bogwood is currently soaking) I'd hate to think that the less dominant fish isn't happy in it's new home x

ive got 2,which are approx 6 year old which are in a 4ft tank and they chase each other and if they annoy the plec he tells them off ive had these from 1.5" they are now approx 7-8" unfortuneatley i dont know why they do it,they just do

The larger one likes to sit on top of the gibbisep plec we have but it doesn't seem too bothered by it. If it's just what they do then I shouldn't worry but it's just frustrating to watch

I did have a couple of these catfish a few years ago and they kept themselves to themselves and never interacted, occasionally they would have a little spat if they came too close. I'm afraid I'm not an expert on these type of fish, however it could be some kind of territorial issue, maybe two males. I would advise you to give them separate hiding places, in my experience, they will lay claim to a hiding place and use it constantly, so make sure they both had somewhere to retreat to. Also remember that catfish are primarily nocturnal.

OFL wrote: however it could be some kind of territorial issue, maybe two males. I would advise you to give them separate hiding places, in my experience, they will lay claim to a hiding place and use it constantly, so make sure they both had somewhere to retreat to. [/quote]

As with many catfish, a well conditioned female Synodontis will tend to be thicker and more rounded than a male, especially when viewed from above. Another sexing method which works well on some species, especially S. multipunctatus, is examining for the genital papilla. Many male Synodontis show a well developed genital papilla anterior to the anal fin. This structure, when present, is usually well developed, pointed and usually tipped somewhat to the rear. It is similar to that seen on many male cichlids. Females of many species usually show only a slight rounded protrusion in this area.

Not sure if this helps, but if it's 2 males, and you got enough space in your tank left, throw in some women!

If not, go with the Boss' advice and provide the catfish with one cave extra, than the number of catfish you have.
Same rule as for plecos, because if i got 2 plecos in a tank, i'll have 3 hide outs.
If it are terrirorial issues, an extra cave may be the solution.

As advised we're off to buy a further two more hiding places so then we have four in a few minutes and when the bog woods in the tank when all the dye's drained off I hope it solves the problem.

Also, after what Noddy has told me above, I'm thinking the fatter, aggressive one must be a female because it has all the features of a female and from above it is a lot thicker and more rounded and the other is more slimline with the fin as said at the back. So I think that's our problem. Only thing is if we got any more I think our tank will get over crowded. I mean it's a 5ft large tank and the oscars still look lost in it but i'm not sure.. Would anyone risk getting more?