Firemouth Bullying

[gr00ver]

I have 2 firemouths which I have had for a year. They were both the same size when bought but since the male has grown larger, he now chases the female far more than ever.
She recently grew paler and she had scales missing on one side only as she puts that side to him when he approaches her.

Anyhoo...I had to put her in my other tank which currently houses some 2 month old swordtail fry, a plec and a corydoras. She has made a good recovery but still looks pale (She's been in there for 2 weeks).

She is eating fine and has managed to eat a couple of fry as well. She can't swim in a normal fashion anymore. She swims fine but its the way she does it...a bit jittery as if she's so excited she can't contain herself.
I'm thinking she's turned into a really nervous fish from all the bullying.
Here's the wierd thing though - she has stuck out her ovipositor thingymbob today. Maybe she's just a bit lonely???

My plan is to feed her up a bit so that she grows a bit bigger and then place her back in her original tank with the male.
I've kept fish for many years now but I have never been in this situation.
Will I have to keep them seperated for ever?

I figured if the day comes when she can go back in the original tank, I was going to completely re-arrange the tank so that the territory thing wouldn't be an issue.

Does anyone have any comments or tips?
They would be greatly appreciated.

 

[guppymonkey]

What size tank did you have the two firemouths in together? Maybe the tank was too small for their territorial needs. Are you absolutely sure that it is a female and not just a small male? If it is a female she might not like the male, you can't force some cichlids to breed. They will pick their own mates and even if there is only one choice sometimes they don't approve.

 

[gr00ver]

Not sure of actual tank volume but it's a standard 4 footer.
This is the first time I have had Firemouths so I am far from an expert on them and I appreciate your help.
At first I thought they were the same sex but then I noticed the bigger one has a very red throat and has a pointy ovipositer thing. The other smaller one is more of a blue colour with a lesser red throat and it's ovipositor is blunt.
When they were in the same tank, for a long time there was no bother and the smaller one always approached the larger one only to be chased away.
They used to flare their gills at each other alot but I wasn't sure if it was a mating or territory thing.
They've never been terribly violent with each other - just a bit of gill flaring and the odd peck here and there.


I figure you're right and they probably don't suit each other.
Do you know if that means I should keep them in their seperate tanks for good?