Torn ventral fins on male -- from female?

[papania]

We've had a pair of young false percs in our tank for a few weeks now. The one we think is (or is becoming) female often nips at the smaller one's ventral fins. Both of his fins are pretty torn up. They aren't fighting otherwise, and there's no jawlocking. The smaller one is very submissive (often does that wiggle).

I'm wondering is this normal? Will it stop? Is the smaller fish is any danger?

*The only other tank residents are a few snails & a cleaner shrimp, and some liverock hitch-hikers that we plan to get rid of: a crab and some apstasia anemone.

 

[toastedxb]

it just sounds like "she" is putting "him" in his place. just like women do to us guys! lol but really it sound like this is pretty normal, since there is no jawlocking and the male is pretty submissive (which is normal for humans) i wouldnt really stress out about it to much. it should take a lil bit for everything to smooth out. keep us posted!

 

[papania]

Thanks, that's a relief.

this may be a stupid question, but will his fins be damaged for good? will they heal at all?

 

[ladyonyx]

They'll heal as soon as she stops picking at them. I had the exact same thing happen with my clowns; they carried on like that for almost a month and now they're best friends. And my guys' fins look nice again

 

[papania]

All good news. Thanks a lot all.