I need help pretty quickly

[Flash]

I have two severums in a 29 gallon tank. I know, I don't have to guess what you're going to say. But to the concerning point. They're in the tank, not showing any signs of sexual dimorphism yet that I know of, and I missed my water changes for the last 2 weeks. So today I do a huge (70%) water change. About 6 hours later. I see my sevs in the corner of the tank. My larger one, about 5.5" long, has the whole mouth of the littler sev (4.5") in its mouth. It caught me off guard. Are they breeding, or what's going on? I don't no what to do, or if I should sepparate. They're breathing kind of heavy, so I'm really nervous. Any help will be greatly appriciated.

 

[Toby_H]

Well... before two Cichlids spawn, they typically test each other, by fighting...

So no they are not spawning... they are fighting... but it may be a prespawning fight, or it may be a territorial fight due to the small tank they are in...

Even if they prove to be a pair, in too small of a tank a strong male will be too rough on his female and sometimes can even kill her.

So my answer will be exactly what you knew we would say... get them in a bigger tank... if they are a pair they will be able to be a happy pair... if this is a territorial despute the smaller will be much more likely to avoid the aggression of the dominant one...

You are looking at the reason why a 29 gal is too small for two Sevs...

 

[Flash]

Well... before two Cichlids spawn, they typically test each other, by fighting...

Ok got ya.

So no they are not spawning... they are fighting... but it may be a prespawning fight, or it may be a territorial fight due to the small tank they are in...

Ok. Probably teritorial if I were to take a guess, but had to make sure.

Even if they prove to be a pair, in too small of a tank a strong male will be too rough on his female and sometimes can even kill her.

Even at this small size of less than 6"? They are getting a new pond soon.

So my answer will be exactly what you knew we would say... get them in a bigger tank... if they are a pair they will be able to be a happy pair... if this is a territorial despute the smaller will be much more likely to avoid the aggression of the dominant one...

You are looking at the reason why a 29 gal is too small for two Sevs...

Well I knew that was coming. lol. I have a 272 gallon pond that is almost finished that they'll be going in. It's 73"x29"x28". I just need a liner and a pump and the heaters and they'll be set.