Angry Eunotus

[BillyBlanks]

Hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I bought a pair of young Ap. Eunotus about 2 weeks ago and it seems the male and female dont get along. I had them in the same 10G tank initially and they kept fighting for their own little territory non stop and so i put the male in a 10G tank next to the original for a few days so hopefully the female would miss him and get more ready to spawn. I put him back in with her and she became very territorially agressive and the 2 had a large fight with lip locking and even fin locking! How can i get the pair to bond? I can purchase either an extra male or female eunotos to put in with the female or put another pair of apistos in the neighbouring tank. What is the best way to get the pair to bond?

Thanks for any replies

 

[Mike Wise]

Lip locking is much more common between 2 males (or 2 females) than between a male & a female. Are you sure your female really is a female? Another possiblity is that your 10 is too small or is not adequately decorated to provide territories for both.

 

[apistodave]

I have a panduro pair that lock up all the time! I think Mikes idea about the tank being too small is closer.

 

[AquaAlbatros]

mmmm, i think you have two males, but here are some ideas to keep agression level down :
put more hiding places, relocate it several times in a month, overstock with more males. But sometimes, nothing is good and you just have to separate it.-
Greetings,
Juan.-

Hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I bought a pair of young Ap. Eunotus about 2 weeks ago and it seems the male and female dont get along. I had them in the same 10G tank initially and they kept fighting for their own little territory non stop and so i put the male in a 10G tank next to the original for a few days so hopefully the female would miss him and get more ready to spawn. I put him back in with her and she became very territorially agressive and the 2 had a large fight with lip locking and even fin locking! How can i get the pair to bond? I can purchase either an extra male or female eunotos to put in with the female or put another pair of apistos in the neighbouring tank. What is the best way to get the pair to bond?

Thanks for any replies

 

[BillyBlanks]

It is defenitely a pair as their is obvious sexual dimorphism present. Today the female has started digging gravel out from within caves which is often a pre-spawning ritual so I think she is almost ready. I might put the male back in tomorrow and see what happens.

Here is the female:

Here is the male:

Female currently in this tank alone:

Maybe it is too small?

 

[Mike Wise]

It looks like you have a pair all right. I think you will be more successful if you can put some plants in the front of the tank, to break up the line-of-sight between the 2 ends.

 

[BillyBlanks]

Yes, might be a good idea. Thanks Mike.