pairing my percs

[mr_cali]

hi i sifted through the several posts on pairing and i'm following some advice.

i bought two true percs (1' inch each with one slightly bigger than the other). I introduced one into my 28g tank first and kept the other in a breeder container in the same tank to get them acquainted for a few days. I just recently let the captive one free and they kept fighting. One has obviously established dominance after fighting for a bit but the other keeps chasing it other around the tank, with occasional nibbling but no real harm physically. I know it's normal because the "female" wants to establish dominance but how do i know when enough is enough (or when to separate them)? I just don't want to stress the poor guy out too much.

Any advise would be appreciated. Any other behaviors I should look for?

oh, there is also a RBTA in the tank that neither has found yet.

 

[reefnetworth]

i would have put both of them in at the same time and allow mother nature to do her thing.
by allowing one in the tank while the other is jailed, it will defend its territory more aggressively.
the smaller one has not established any territorial rights, thats why theyre fightin in the hood! :lol:

 

[mr_cali]

haha....thanks man. good to know since i considered waiting even longer to release the little guy. anything else i should look for or should i just let nature have at it?

update: the smaller one is hiding in a cave right now while the other one is roaming wild.

 

[PasadenaReefer]

hey eric, i put both mine in at the same time too just like reefnet, Im sure once the Female finds the anem ( or the clown that was let into the tank first ) then they will be ok, but from what i read also they do fight before mating. So they might just be doing there little thing to see who becomes the female or who becomes the male. since there 1 inch they are probably not either male/female hope everything goes smoothly.

 

[mr_cali]

hey thanks austin, but man...i think one bit the dust. can't find the dude (or dudette) anywhere.