For the two Horn sharks to still be at those sizes at more than 4, probably closer to 5 years of age is most definitely major husbandry issues during the most important period of their lives. The developmental period of the juvenile shark into its sub-adult stage can be, in some instances quite irreversible once it persists. If they were kept at 78 degrees, their respiration and metabolism would both have been highly elevated. I would imagine for the two sharks to have grown at more of a normal rate their food intake would have needed to be upped by quite a bit and even more so when they were younger. With lower oxygen levels at the upper 70s, and being from sub-tropical waters (mostly) they may have been starving for oxygen too. But all is not lost !! I don't write any of this to bum you out... with the care you obviously take with your pool and fish, the Mazuri diet or tablets and slightly higher DO levels, they should be fantastic!!!
As for the smaller Whitespotted Male clamping onto the larger male, he may just be a confused young boy! Haha
All jokes aside, I've been reading a lot of literature about thousands of different species of animals, throughout many different taxa, that have been observed and continue to take part in homosexual activities. In some species, enough experimentation/documentation has been done to show that it is an evolutionary behavior that in one way or another advances the population's reproduction rates and gene preservation.
Im not saying that Bamboo sharks are among those animal species, or if that has anything to do with the situation you're witnessing.
But it may be linked, as they smaller male may be or become a better/stronger breeder than then large male. Females can mature a little later than males and usually at a larger mature size. The female may not be mature yet and if the males are, it could explain the behavior.
I am glad you have them seperated, as I suffered the loss of a male C griseum from open wounds from another male (during reproductive behavior) and brought the remaining male back from the brink with heavily medicated baths, infused with oxygen, for an hour or two a day for 2 weeks straight. The addition of UV sterilizers has definitely helped prevent anything like that from happening again!
Hope everything works out well !! The sharks couldn't be in better hands, now. If you're thinking of ordering some tabs from Mazuri, perhaps we could split an order or bottle. PM if you'd like to do that!
