Should they be separated?

[cmich]

I have a pair that has produced free swimmers before but always ended up eating the fry at some point. They stopped laying eggs about a year ago, and the male was picking at the female. I separated them with egg crate and they both were doing really well. I recently pulled the egg crate out to see what would happen and the male is still picking at the female a lot. Is this normal behavior to reestablish the pecking order, or is it the beginning of courtship, or is it possible they are no longer be a pair and the male is always going to bite at the female? She clenches her fins when he is around and is not her usual round, erect self. Here is a video to show the behavior I am referring to. Thanks in advance.

Blake

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/buzar3bc/th_IMG_0037.jpg (http://s557.photobucket.com/albums/ss11/buzar3bc/?action=view&current=IMG_0037.mp4)

[johnnathan]

I will put them in the community tank.

[cmich]

I got rid of all of my discus a while back when I moved my tank from michigan to chicago. These are the only two that I still have. I could put them in a community tank with 2 angels, some corys, plecos, and a rainbow- but there would still just be the two of them and i'm afraid the aggression wouldn't stop. Also, I like having them barebottom, it makes my water changes easier. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

[John_Nicholson]

Find another tank to put the male in for a couple of weeks, then put him back with the female. Hopefully she will hold her own after that. If she does not then all you can do is let them work it out.

-john

[cmich]

Thanks, John.

[Hsunami]

domestic abuse! U needa be the po po. LOL

[cmich]

Haha, I have come to the rescue and separated them again. They both seem happier that way.

Blake