I have a gorgeous 6" female JD that I decided I want to breed (because she's pretty). She is in an 85 gallon tank. There are 5 other (much smaller) fish in the tank. I finally found a male that was close to the same size (barely longer and slightly stockier) and very pretty. I put him in with her and they checked eachither out by swimming around eachother for a few minutes. Then they both went insanely colorful (jet black bars, gold background, blazing orange edge on dorsal and tail fin, bright vibrant blue gill cover (female) and bright blue green and gold all across the body (male). ) they puffed their gills and spread their fins out and (parallel to each other) started waving around then lip locking then repeating the process. The female retreated and the male chased her for a while. Then they were swimming together for a few days. They dug some pits in the gravel but weren't cleaning any flat rocks (i have several becaus ri read the lay on flat areas). Then out of the blue after 4 days the male started incessantly chasing her and nipping. They would have small breaks for a couple hours then be right back at it. My female got super messed up. First she was just injured (fins torn up, scales missing all over) she looked awful. Then she developed tail rot and lost two thirds of her tail fin, then got a fungal infection (cotton like growths all over). I quarentined her in a 10 gallon and treated for a month and a half. Now she is all cleared up from any diseases and her tail has started growing back. I put her back in the main tank today and the male (now significantly thicker and about an inch longer ) immediately put on his display (like the first time) and is waving around. He will chase her every once in a while but not like before. Although he does nudge her a lot and seemingly nip at her side's, but she doesn't retreat unless he actually bites. She doesnt appear to be taking any damage either. I taped a mirror to the outside of the tank and the male flares himself up whenever he sees himself. But doesn't attack it or sit there glued. Does it sound like the fish paired up or is it just aggression? Is the beating up of the female normal? Why won't she lay? Any suggestions or tips? Anything will he appreciated. I will update their activity tomorrow sometime. Please respond with any tips!
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