Nicaraguan Pair Behavior

[coryjac0b]

So I had a single nic that was very shy and would hide when I would get hear the tank, only coming out to grab at food then dart back in. This went on for about 2-3 weeks. I went back the the LFS about a week ago and they still had one of the three nics that were there when i picked up the first one. I decided to pick it up. I am about 99 percent sure the second one is male. Very bold and a little bit bigger. He is pictured below and you can see the one i am pretty sure is female peeking from out the rocks

Since the second day after I added the male, they are both out a lot and digging, a lot.

Is this typical mating or courting behavior?

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

First off amazing tank, look really nice.
And yes if they are sticking together and digging those can be possibly signs that they like each other and maybe finding a good spawn site. Give them a little more time and hopefully you get some eggs

 

[coryjac0b]

First off amazing tank, look really nice.
And yes if they are sticking together and digging those can be possibly signs that they like each other and maybe finding a good spawn site. Give them a little more time and hopefully you get some eggs

Thanks. That's what i figured, just wanted to double check.

This is the one i believe is female.

And here is a FTS:

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

You have a carpintis in there as well huh, yah tank looks great. I never owned Nicaraguans but I'm sure some people on here can sex them for you

 

[duanes]

Its very easy to tell males from females.
Males have spots on the unpaired fins (dorsal, anal, caudal)

females don't, a male with 2 females below

female below

 

[coryjac0b]

You have a carpintis in there as well huh, yah tank looks great. I never owned Nicaraguans but I'm sure some people on here can sex them for you

The carpintis is fine for now, he's still small. We'll see how he does once he gets larger.

Its very easy to tell males from females.
Males have spots on the unpaired fins (dorsal, anal, caudal)

females don't, a male with 2 females below

female below

Thanks, yeah i am pretty sure i have a male and female pair now.