fighting or breeding

[CAROLTRIPODI]

I have a 30 gal. tank that has 6 fish in it. There are two that are at each other
constantly right not. They keep biting at each other and are locking lips and won't stop? Are they breeding? I have another tank that I can move one out and seperate them. Would you suggest that? I am afraid they are going to kill one or the other. One is getting a lot of bite marks on the side? Please tell me what I can do?

catrip982@aol.com

[Barb Okla]

do U know what kind of fish U have? cichlids or others?? American or African??

IF they are lip locking and are African, then they are both males and U need to remove one..
Look for more dots (called egg spots)on the bottom anal fin, UNDER the tail, if lots, then males, if a none to one, then females..

IF they are american cichlids, they COULD be male female as the females wil lock lips and fight the male. Jack Dempseys are bad for this alone with Oscars..

Yes it is advised to remove one of the males and not over stock the tank. Lots of rock is needed as males are really territorial and need a cave to call theirs..
BUT more rock in a tank, means less water. so know that now.. your 30 can go to a 20 gal fast..

IN a 30 gal tank, that is just not big enough for 6 cichlids at adutl size...
U really need a 55 gal and bigger.. This gives U lots of room for LOTS of rock and more cichlids..

[CAROLTRIPODI]

Thank you so much for answering my question about the fish locking mouths. They are African Cichlids but I don't know if they are male or females, but I am going to try to check and see, and I will definitely remove one to another tank...............they seem to have been better lately but I see what you mean about size. There are 2 fish in there that are at least 5-6 inches long, so I am going to move some around and see if that works...................If I have any more questions, could I feel free to ask again? Thanks and Have a Nice Holiday!!

[Barb Okla]

In such a small tank, an adult at that size wil rule the whole tank.. I know it looks big, I hve 3, 29 gal tanks, but once U get a 55 U wil see how much more room they wil have.. I have 4, 55 gal tanks for raising fry to having others and let them just spawn at will.. I do keep some species seperated for just them spawning as I want to keep them pure and not worry about hybrids, which is two different species spawing..

yes if U have another tank, please move the bigger ones out.. Males wil do the lip lock in challenging for space in the tank..

And ask away!! I wil be here on and off.. sorry this is so late. I look in but didnt' see this!! My bad!!

I hope your holiday is going great too!! mine is so so. just staying home.. LOL..