Bn Behavior Question

[mikev]

I have a couple of albino BN's for about 8 months now.

One is a certain male (now has a small, but definitive and growing set of bristles on his nose), the other is likely a female (slighly larger, clean nose, a couple of bristles on the side of the mouth).

After many months of peace, I caught them fighting a couple of times in the last week, and now noticed some damage to the female's dorsal. The damage is almost certainly caused by the fighting (the tank is in good condition and has fish which would be much more sensitive to bad water).

The two possibilities I see are (1) clumsy sexual advances -- the fighting was certainly initialized by the male or (2) some kind of territorial fight, which may end badly.

Any suggestion on what I should do? (I can move one of them to another tank if it is needed).

TIA

 

[KathyM]

I have heard other people say that sometimes they've found a "female" turns out to be a male that hasn't developped as many bristles (maybe because they're not the "dominant" male in the tank), that have turned obviously male when the other male is removed. I'm not sure how accurate that is though, it's all speculation.

 

[dwarfgourami]

What size is the tank? I have heard that plec sex can be a little rough- not like those gentle cuddly corys. And, I do sometimes catch my male chasing away my female- though they are definitely a couple, having just produced their third batch of fry in three months. Perhaps that's why- after all, he gets all the hard work. "This is where you got me! "

 

[smithrc]

All our males develop as males no matter how many there are in a tank.
If they didnt - sexing them before selling would be a pain in the bum

do you have a cave in there - during spawning (or attempts to spawn) it can get quite aggressive if the female is not interested of the male is keen to keep her trapped.

I've had quite a few females come away with scratched and scrapes

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Yep- bristles like rough sex for sure. My best breedeing pair always look raggy but throw the best fry I have seen. As Mr Smitch said- get em a cave if you don't have one.

 

[mikev]

Thanks, all.

The only reason I think it may be two males is because they are young, and it may be that the 2nd will develop bristles yet. The other had them for only two months and they are not full-size yet.

(I have no idea if they are sexually mature).

The tank is a 29g, they are at 2.5" the largest fish in it (the rest are Beaufortias, Sewellias, Crossostoma, and dither). They have a semi-open area under the driftwood...if I understood you right they need a cave where the female can be reliably locked in.
I did not do any really close hiding places since they show no intention to hide (being the largest fish, no worries?).

OK, will do. Any suggestions on the materials for a best cave and how large it should be?

 

[dwarfgourami]

I did not do any really close hiding places since they show no intention to hide (being the largest fish, no worries?).

OK, will do. Any suggestions on the materials for a best cave and how large it should be?

My bristlies love the clay amphora ornament I bought them, but also the natural caves formed under bits of bogwood.