Mating or Fighting ???

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only126db

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 21, 2010
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North Central Michigan
Ok I introduced a new Sunfish/Bluegill to my aquarium where I already had one.

Right away, the new one went to were my original was, then they went head to head, locking mouths back and forth.

Then they did some belly to belly wiggling and swam side by side while my original would lean to the side like it was baring its belly.

Is this fighting or mating?

How can I sex them, I thought my original was male, but not sure....
 
since I happened immediately after you put them in in I is most definitely fighting. They are trying to determine dominance and territory.
 
This is fighting!!!! You are going to have to watch this very carefully or a fish may be killed!!! I have two 7 inch bluegills that started very mild then before my eyes in seconds it became serious. Both fish have been marked from the fight. "Big Blue" has a small one inch black spot and "Headshaker" has a 2-3 black spot, the marks are permanent. I separated them immediately.

Big Blue fought again( I believe lip locking) another fish over night and the next morning his mouth was turned at an angle that is permanent also. Both large bluegills are together again in a larger tank with no problem just the occasional look. I do believe if both the fish were never separated and later put in a larger tank, they would both dead from injuries.
 
I don't want to hijack the thread, but what is the sunfish on the right in that picture? That is a beautiful fish. Maybe a redbreast?
 
Looks to me the one on the right is a Longear and left is a redbreast.

Fighting for sure. Depending on size of the tank it may subside after a bit or, it may never stop. 55g min for a sunfish and you may still have dominance problems.
 
Rays of Sunshine;5149346; said:
This is fighting!!!! You are going to have to watch this very carefully or a fish may be killed!!! I have two 7 inch bluegills that started very mild then before my eyes in seconds it became serious. Both fish have been marked from the fight. "Big Blue" has a small one inch black spot and "Headshaker" has a 2-3 black spot, the marks are permanent. I separated them immediately.

Big Blue fought again( I believe lip locking) another fish over night and the next morning his mouth was turned at an angle that is permanent also. Both large bluegills are together again in a larger tank with no problem just the occasional look. I do believe if both the fish were never separated and later put in a larger tank, they would both dead from injuries.
Click to expand...

After the little issue they seem to be doing fine, they swim around and come up to each other and rub bellies, no biting since the one incident, but i will definately keep an eye on them.

They are both around 4"

bjbass;5149452; said:
I don't want to hijack the thread, but what is the sunfish on the right in that picture? That is a beautiful fish. Maybe a redbreast?
Click to expand...

Honestly, they both seem to be hybrids of a couple different breeds.

I tried to find out by pictures but there was no definate 'thats them'
 
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