Do I Need To Separate My Dempseys?

[shell30984]

Hi Guys,

As some of you no I've not had the best introductions to owning Cichlids

But i was hoping for some advice,
The larger fish (i assume Male) is chasing the smaller one (i assume female) around the tank. They both sit at opposite ends of the tank, which they didnt to start with, they would of followed each other round.

I have read on the internet that this could be mating, but then some say its fighting and they should be separated. I dont no for sure the sex - but the store said they were male/female.

Thanks in advance
xxx

 

[Joshwainwright]

I don't see the need in separating them if there is no obvious fighting or damage. I'm also not sure if it's mating or not so I guess it wouldn't do any harm to leave them together.

 

[hamfist]

I don't see the need in separating them if there is no obvious fighting or damage. I'm also not sure if it's mating or not so I guess it wouldn't do any harm to leave them together.

Yes, if no obvious damage or fighting as yet, then just leave them alone and let them sort things out.

 

[twodoctors]

My sajica sometimes fights each other. When I bought them they were already paired up in the LFS. The first few days after getting home there would be scars on both fishes, albeit minor. Then they really bonded, to a point where the female would hide in the cave all day. Both would defend their territory. Until I recently reclaimed their territory and did a bit of "aquascaping". They soon had a domestic and the female hid at the back of the tank for almost a week. The male would follow her around if she comes out and she would run away and hide again. They are now "kind of" back to together, and again I notice a scar on the male.

My "advice" would be keep an eye on those two. If there is serious fighting then separate. Hope that helps.

Adrian