Domestic Violence?

[Buttercup_21]

I'm having a problem with my male Salvini beating the crap out of the female. They are newish to each, have never spawned, (although she has tried to get him interested in the past), and when in with a pair of JD's got on ok with just the odd 'flaring' incident at each other.

Now I've moved the male JD out to give his female a break (she's not growing as she should) and the male Salvini has taken to chasing his female about one minute and then being glued to her side the next. She's started to look very dull and tattered.

Do you reckon they'll settle eventually or should I split them up?

 

[Tongue33]

They are courting. if she is not strong enough for him to court.. He will come close to or succeed in killing her.

Have you bred cichlids before?

 

[Dmaan.]

I'd reckon splitin' 'em before she gets murdered!

 

[Buttercup_21]

They are courting. if she is not strong enough for him to court.. He will come close to or succeed in killing her.

Have you bred cichlids before?

Yes - recently JD's. In the past several others. Never has the male beaten the female up in any way shape or form!

 

[headbanger_jib]

with salvinis its not like just any other chiclids
they are quite aggressive and even if they pair up the male will constatnly chase and nip at the female
she has to have a few hiding places if they are the only fish in the tank