justifiable concern?

[MonsterMinis]

I have 2 sengel Bichir's that I have been growing out in my 20H that are eating well, bright eyed and bushy tailed. and about 6" atm and seem very comfy in their tank, but will soon be moved into a larger tank with my fire eel.

my concern is at this size I'm almost 100% certain I have a male and a female bichir. Are they likely to be territorial with my eel? and will they get along and "pair up" or will i need to seperate them? at the moment they get along well, and only get frisky with eachother when it's feeding time, where she will shove him out of the way. there has been no noticable damage inflicted and otherwise they seem to share the tank just fine.

I've read plenty on here about co-habitating. But haven't seen anything specific with pairs of these fish. or do they even pair up? or just opportunisticlly breed? I do not intend to breed my pair, but I have this luck with fish.. I must play to much barry mantalowe in my room or something. atm they are at a guess about 6-8 monthes old? and I'de rather be prepared then go "oh crap!"

or if i missed it can someone point me the thread way?

 

[beblondie]

why do you think you have a pair? They do not form lifelong pairs they will breed if they want to.don't worry you'll probably neven see any eggs (rotten parents bichirs are).Have you read thru the information in the stickie section?

 

[MonsterMinis]

I've read threw most the the information. and Beblondie your write ups have been very helpful in caring for them thus far! But I didn't see anything pertaining particularly to breeding habits just that they can and do breed in captivity. and i hope they eat their own eggs. I have no interest in breeding them, simply if there are any personality issues I might encounter with M/F relationships. Why I'm almost 100% in being a pair their was a post not long ago about the different sexs and my 2 are both textbook from the pictures posted. Their anal fins one is very narrow and long on one. and the other was somewhat broader and about half the length of the other. and their fins otherwise are both the same more or less. Otherwise is it possible they are both male and one is simply matureing at a younger age? though they are the same size? their fins are also in perfect condition, no signs of possible fin nipping ect.

Generally i'm more farmilular with barbs, cichlids, ect. And these fish can have very different personalities given the sexes ratios in a tank. maybe i'm just confused as to the general habits. I see many people with a herd of Bichirs in their tanks and simply that it works... and Some who keep them either single or with other species because they are that aggresive. maybe i'm over analysing.