Female Delhezi keeps biting my Male Delhezi

[johnnycoolxx]

I bought 2 Delhezis about a week ago. I picked up 1 male and 1 female the same day. I noticed yesterday that my female was biting my male del. She bit him on the anal fin and again on his head. She also chases him around. They're about the same length (about 8"), but he's twice as fat as she is. He doesn't bite back or anything, but does seem a little spooked.

What's the best way I can stop the female from biting my male like that? I've thought about putting her into my big datnoid tank, but the problem is that she's going to have a much harder time getting food. I haven't seen her eat anything yet.

 

[JamesF]

I had the same problem when I got my two in January. The female was very aggressive to the male for the first few weeks. Then she seemed to settle down, and her started biting her. Now they just swim past each other with no biting.
I'd make sure they have enough hiding spots and just watch for any serious attacking. Some minor fin nipping isn't too worrisome.
If she won't stop, then you may have to separate them. If there is heavy competition in the tank for food, just train her to feed from your hand.

 

[Cohazard]

Wow,in my tank, the male was picking on the female lol I guess she is getting her revenge.

Try feeding chopped tilapia, that was their favorite food in my tank, they also ate sinking cichlid gold.

They have to get used to the new foods you are offering, but if you get worried, they won't turn down tilapia.

 

[GarNiac]

this happens sometimes, 2 of my endlis were like this before when I first got them, as long as they are in the same size, then nothing is to be worried about. They tend to be territorial aggressive, but give it sometimes till they settle down.

 

[johnnycoolxx]

I had the same problem when I got my two in January. The female was very aggressive to the male for the first few weeks. Then she seemed to settle down, and her started biting her. Now they just swim past each other with no biting.
I'd make sure they have enough hiding spots and just watch for any serious attacking. Some minor fin nipping isn't too worrisome.
If she won't stop, then you may have to separate them. If there is heavy competition in the tank for food, just train her to feed from your hand.

My female still tries to bite at my male del, but it's a lot less frequent now. She used to chase him from one end of the tank to the other, but she's a lot more calm now. I've added hiding spaces all over the tank and she mostly hangs out by the back of my tank. She also just started eating so that's a great sign that she'll calm down too.

 

[johnnycoolxx]

Wow,in my tank, the male was picking on the female lol I guess she is getting her revenge.

Try feeding chopped tilapia, that was their favorite food in my tank, they also ate sinking cichlid gold.

They have to get used to the new foods you are offering, but if you get worried, they won't turn down tilapia.

Thanks Serg. I switched from MS to tilapia and they all seem to like the tilapia better. They also all eat sinking cichlid gold but sometimes the pellet has to hit them in the face before they make an effort to eat it lol.

That's weird how she's the one biting HIM now, because he's so much bigger. I guess you're right-- it must be pent-up aggression and now she's had enough. She bit his anal fin! Imagine if a girl was mad enough to bite you on your privates like that

this happens sometimes, 2 of my endlis were like this before when I first got them, as long as they are in the same size, then nothing is to be worried about. They tend to be territorial aggressive, but give it sometimes till they settle down.

That's great to know. She's calmed down a lot more and they're the same size, so hope there won't be any problems. Thanks for the replies.