Breeding Behavior?!

[lukmana91]

I got a pair of apistos in my 40 G with 25 rummies as dither.
The tank is sandy bottom with some driftwood arranged.

Plants are swords, stargrass and s. repens

So my apistos have been acting strange for a while.

My male would go to the front of the female and flash his fins.

But the female would swim away after he does that, which results in him chasing the female in what i can describe as sexual harassment level of aggressiveness.

Question is: Is this normal? Should i separate them? Is the female in any danger?

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, this is normal behavior when the female isn't ready to breed. If the tank is properly decorated the female shouldn't be in much danger. If your apistos do breed you are not likely to get many surviving fry. Rummy-nose tetras are notorious fry predators.