To split or not to split

[Fiori]

My 4 baby red angels are now about 1.5 inches in diameter and it looks increasingly like two have paired off. They are both going for the other two, practically non-stop. Although there have been no signs of injury (yet), one is spending a lot of time hiding in the corner. It seems the pair want the entire 55 gall (uk) tank to themselves.

Will they get better or worse? Should I just take out the two non paired angels now, before one gets really hurt?

 

[freddyk]

Even though they are not getting injured, fish that are under constant aggression from other fish are always being harmed. The fish that is stuck in the corner is under continuous stress, which inevitably leads to a lowered immune system and a general downturn in health. Seperation in these circumstances are a very good idea. Do you have lots of plants in the tank?

 

[Fiori]

Its a heavily planted tank, with lots of giants vals and swords at the back, as well as a large crinium, so plenty foliage to hide in. Also makes it difficult to try and catch them as well. And it can be difficult to make sure I'm catching the right one - I tried and gave up yesterday and thought I would see if they needed to be separated before trying again. They have been not quite so bad today, in that all 4 of them have been swimming about, but the pair are still being pretty nippy.