Nick Goody

I'm wondering if I should separate them or not? Neither is injured and neither is backing down. If it was bullying I'd expect to see one of them trying to get away, but they're locking up, holding for 3-4 minutes, breaking, then coming back for another go.

Attached Images

	Acaras.jpg (354.5 KB, 52 views)
	Acaras2.jpg (402.6 KB, 51 views)

aquarist48

Good morning Nick. I hope you and the family are doing well! The pair in the photos, are they male and female? That is a long time for a fish to stay in a lip lock. My Bloody Parrots will get into a lip lock on occasion but not for that long. If you aren't seeing any damage done to the fins or other parts of the body I think I would leave them alone. Let's see what other responses you receive.
Ken

Nick Goody

As far as I'm aware they're Male and Female. The "Female" is the brighter coloured of the 2 on the left of the photo. She's slightly bigger and stronger than the "Male". I'm toying with the idea of putting them in the 90gal as a bonding exercise. The 3 Jewels in the 90gal always stick together and never fight each other. I'm wondering if the Acaras might do the same if they had to spend a few days in there?

aquarist48

It looks like they are bonding where they are Nick lol
If you do decide to move them, just keep your eyes on things as I'm sure you will. Keep us posted. Beautiful fish.
Ken

peacemaker92

I'm not very sure about cichlids but they are mouth-brooders right?

Amanda

Nope, they're egg layers. At least this type is.

Shawnie

wow great pics nick even if you are worried!!!!
not sure about your two acara's but oscars that spawn do this also..for hours...as long as there are no injuries, id let them be....

Nick Goody

Thats what I hoped I've checked them both over, no injuries whatsover, not even a torn fin. I'll keep an eye on them, but let them get on with it!

Shawnie

maybe he forgot the flowers and chocolate ?

btate617

Hey Nick just make sure you keep an eye on them and keep up on water quality. Although that is normal behavior for cichlids, sometimes their lips will get shredded a bit and it becomes very easy to get an infection in that area. I have had pairs go at it until they were actually missing pieces from their lips. The main thing to worry about would be an infection so bad they can not eat then you will lose the fish. Good luck with them. Have you vented them to make sure they are male/female, or just going by what someone else has said, just curious.

Brian

peacemaker92

Thanks Amanda

Nick Goody

No, I'm not 100% sure if they're male and female. The "male" was a rescue who was pretty beat up. He's recovering well though. I do 2 waterchanges a week so water quality shouldn't be a problem

btate617

I remember seeing the post when you got them. Any chance you could vent them to be certain? One of my long time favorite fish, I still use them as dithers with many breeding groups as they really are a tough fish.

Brian

Melissawater

Maybe try putting up a curtain for them!! lol That is the cutest picture of fish I have ever seen

snowflake311

My acaras always would fight before they spawned. It's like foreplay for cichlids. They will hate each other for a few days then the
ales wins her over and he starts showing off fighting plants around the tank. Thoese photos are of a male and female my male is smaller the my female too and I got them at the same time both 1.5".

Keep them together let them fight it out if it gets really bad and the male hides and will not come out you need to seperate them. But a bit of fighting is normal.