Banggai Pairing Problems

[IFbettas]

I've been trying to get a pair of banggais for quite a while. Back in March or April of this year, I got 2 banggais. One of them killed the other, so I guess they were both the same sex. I then got 2 more. One of them was dead the next morning, and then when I put the other one in with the original cardinal he was killed too. A few months ago I got a really small banggai about 1" long. I have been keeping him in a different tank from the original banggai who is about 3" long.

Tonight I decided to put the larger banggai in the same tank (55 gallons) as the smaller one to see if I might get a pair. The smaller one has now grown to maybe 2" and is probably sexually mature. The smaller one has been following the bigger one nonstop. He often puffs out his jaw and then goes on the side of the larger one. The larger one just slowly swims away from the little one, but the little one keeps following him. Is this a good sign, or bad? Thanks.

 

[IFbettas]

BTW, now I noticed after watching them for a while that the smaller one occasionally nips the larger one on the anal fin. Not a bite, but a nip. One of the two has been popping a bit, but I'm not sure which one it is. The bigger one occasionally puffs up its jaw too, after the little one nips the anal fin. Any thoughts?

 

[Opah]

I have a similar situation. Looking forward to hearing something

 

[stevetcg]

I got 3 juvies and put them all in my community tank. As they grew it was clear what the pairing is and once they start going after the 3rd wheel I will find him a new home.

 

[IFbettas]

Well, they are still both alive this morning, so atleast they didn't decide to kill eachother over night. Any other opinions?

 

[arcprolife]

I also bought three at the same time and as they got bigger two paired up. I started noticing one that was always hiding and two that always swam together so I removed the loner and the pair has since had eggs several times. I always read to buy three ans hope atleast two pair up so I wonder if three to start makes a difference.

 

[IFbettas]

I am almost positive that I have two males now. They always puff up and display when they see each other and stay away from each other usually.