Couple or not?

[Juanita]

Hi!

I have two Geophagus Altifrons Cameta.
I thought they were a male and a female, because they have always swam toghether and being "cuddly" towards each other. But I few days ago they started to fight. A LOT! They try to mouth lock each other etc, and for a while I had to take one of them out of the tank to calm them down. Now I've put it back, but they are still very aggresive towards each other. But they don't fight as much, since the bigger one chase the other one away as soon as he/she sees her/him.

Is this proof that this is not a couple at all, that they are both male? Or can it still be a couple having some problems in their relationship? Or two females even?

[William]

No, it isn't. They can still be a pair.

[Juanita]

Good.

Is it normal for couples to behave like this, or is it a sign of stress? Tank to small? Set up not good?

[William]

It's normal for them to fight once in a while. just make sure it doesn't get to bad.


In fact it may even be that they are considering getting a family ;-)

[Juanita]

OK, nice to hear.