Mating or fighting?

[rkc772]

i have 4 ornate bichir. all four are around 12" and fat! i saw two of them side by side and has been rubbing each other side by side or as if nipping on each others ends. can anyone tell me if they are fighting or mating and how to distinguish if male or femaile. thank you for the expert of bichirs. hope you guys can help me!

 

[beblondie]

That would most likely be part of the mating ritual-Anne

 

[rkc772]

should i separate them from my other fish and put them in another tank to be in private? my 12" dat is not too happy about them doing it and kept on disturbing both of them.

 

[Hapdude]

At 12 inches your ornates are still to immature to be spawning. You may not even have a pair yet! My guess is that one of them is experiencing his (for lack of a better word) first erection, and is simply feeling his oats!