Pet Forum / Aquaria / Cichlids / February 2005

I have a 60l community tank with tetras, a pair of M. ramirezi and
trio of B. splendens. Generally this works very well, everyon
interacts within their own species and they leave each other alon
(apart from the intense curiosity of the B. splendens females, who nos
into everyone's business). However, the cichlids were added a
juveniles, supposedly a pair but now maturing and I suspect they may b
two males, but I have never kept cichlids before and would not be abl
to distinguish aggressive from courtship behaviour.
Neither fish has long ray extensions on the front of the dorsal fin
Both are starting to get iridescent blue spots on their anal fins. Th
dominant fish (the one that does the chasing) has darker marks (spot
on sides, red fin edges etc). They chase and butt each other, postur
with fins and gills spread, circle each other and occasionally loc
mouths or shove each other flank to flank. The more intensely coloure
fish generally seems to win, but sometimes they will act peacefull
together and they feed together. None of this behaviour is eve
directed at the other fish in the tank.
Do I have two males, or is this pair behaviour? Is there anything I ca
do? The supplier is happy to have the fish back if I am concerned (whic
I am) but they haven't injured each other (yet), should I give up

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fidhw