Ive been watching them all night and I am convinced they have decided to pair. They are swimming in circles and biting at each other and getting more diligent about following each other around this predetermined course they have designed.
The dynamic of the tank has changed since saturday as well, and every fish is acting a bit differently than normal. Whether it's the action/reaction caused by the new pair, or the lack of the Gt speeding around being the jerk, the fish seem to be in a state of flux. Some of the behavior has me thinking of putting up a divider to give the pair some peace but I wouldn't mind getting some advice on whether it's necessary.
Of the other three fish in my tank two are Jd's, male and female, while the other is a Red Devil that I can't figure the sex of. The Jack Dempsey male is the Alpha of the tank and usually doesn't spend much time bothering any other fish. He's big, old and lazy, hanging around on the left side of the tank with the female Jd, only occasionally pushing the other fish around. I just was noticing that he has started to come over and bother the mating pair a bit more and I wonder if it's going to have any effect on the outcome of their union. He seems to be reminding the Dovii that he's number one by punking him into short flights from his area. I did see the Dovii take a shot at him for the first time though so maybe he's gearing up for a title shot, or he's just getting closer to being ready and he's getting more rammy. Hopefully the Jd doesn't step in because Im 99% positive from his past attempts at breeding that he's sterile. This is the main reason I may divide it.
The Red Devil is the one that seems to be the fifth wheel, but since it was always the goat in the tank I could never figure out his/her sex by it's behavior. It has always fought with the female Jd, just ran from the male, and has sometimes fought with the Fh, only ran from the Dovii. I can't tell if it's a weak male trying to slide in on the other bigger males girls, or whether it's the odd female out and is just scraping with the other females for rank. I thought it was female for a long time, but after watching the last few nights I'm leaning toward male. I tried to vent it but it's still small and fish junk looks all the same to me. I'm not too worried about it swooping in if it is male though, more worried that if I divide the tank it will have a tough time being the third wheel in a condensed tank.
I'd be curious to hear your guys thoughts on the divider, I have come to depend on this forum a bunch recently and I'm really starting to dig this hybrid stuff. It's nice that the fish are working so hard to coincide with my new found interest. It's a perfect storm. Thanks to everyone here too, you guys are very kind and helpful, it's my new favorite place on MFK. And anyone who is rolling through Downingtown is welcome to take a bunch of fry, so fish042099 let me know if your ever in the area. If I see eggs I'll let you guys know.
Best of luck with the pair!
