Male and Female not exactly a "pair"

[mikewang]

Is it normal for the male to chase away the female and sometimes even strike a bite? the female seems somewhat stressed, but do not go into hiding. Im wondering if i should remove the female.

Also can anyoen tell me what is the natural kind of "caves" for these guys. i have some what of a cave made up of plants where my sterbai corydoras hide when in need. I would like to provide enough hiding places and territorys for my apistos, but i would like to make it as natural as possible. what should i use?

 

[Christine-FishGrrl]

I have some small terracotta pots (2 or 3 inches across) that I've either laid down and buried halfway in the gravel, or put upside-down with a small notch cut out in the bottom.

 

[farm41]

Is it normal for the male to chase away the female and sometimes even strike a bite?

typical cichlid courting behaviour

the female seems somewhat stressed, but do not go into hiding. Im wondering if i should remove the female.

I would not remove the female, unless she is sustaining injury,i.e. missing scales, torn fins.

Also can anyoen tell me what is the natural kind of "caves" for these guys.

natural would probably be leaf litter and roots. Most of us use the terracotta pots overturned and coconut shells. I also like to use oak leaves, a handful or 2 depending on the tank size, oak leaves also have the added benefit of making the water more acidic and slightly stained.