nicaraguan issues or normal pairing?

[bluereefer]

hi everyone,
I have a 75 gal tank with an aquaclear 110 and wet/dry sump. Temp is 78, ammonia and nitrites are 0, nitrates <20. It has lots of driftwood, lots of fake plants and a ceramic flowerpot. There are 6 cherry barbs, 6 australian rainbows and 2 nics. 1M/1F. The tank has been set up for 2 years, the nics (both 5ish inches and raised together) were added 3 weeks ago.

at first they (nics) pretty much ignored eachother. After a few days he chased her a bit. Over the last few days he's been relentless! She's spending more and more time hiding behind the filter intake at the water line. He's torn her tail a small amount but no severe damage, just 2 or 3 tears.

I'm feeding frozen bloodworms and frozen shrimp every other day and cichlid pellets 2x per day.

I'm wondering what to do?! Wait and see, increase feeding and water changes, get a second female, separate them and replace her...im just not sure. I do have a cycled 40 gal that's planted in case of emergency.

any ideas are helpful!!!! Thanks!!

 

[HrHagel]

This is completely normal behaviour.

Whenever the male wants to breed, but the female is not ready, she will take a lot of beating.

Once she is ready to accept him as a mate it will end (typically)

So basically, make sure you get her in the mood. You can try switching things around, doing a big water change, bump the temp to 82ish, etc.

 

[bluereefer]

thank you! I didn't want this to be an issue I overlooked.