L46 Males fighting, Do I seperate?

[CUPfishhead]

Hello I have a group of 7 L46, and 2 of my males have begun to fight. They have been fighting for about a week. Their sides are becoming a bit chewed up and the stripes are gone and showing some small bloodspots but not an open sore yet. Their tails are also bein chewed off. I have been doing 50% water changes for the past 2 weeks, trying to induce the rainy season. I am assuming they are getting ready to breed as their odontal growth has become more appearent recently. When is the time that I should seperate them or should I just let them establish dominance. They have been in the tank for about 8 months. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[Richard B]

A lot depends on the size of the tank.

Personally i'd remove what you consider to be the Beta male to another set up. Aftr a period this can become a second breeding colony after you add females (new or from the existing colony).

These fish really deserve the best chances given their threatened status in the wild.

[CUPfishhead]

They are in a 30gal Long tank 36 x 13 x 16. I have thought about moving them also. I know there are atleast 3 males. I just dont want to lose either an alpha or beta male. I have read that they breed better in a group, has anyone had good breeding success with just 1 male and 1 female?

[Suckermouth]

I've had L46 kill each other, so I'd probably split them...

[Matt30]

Hi, you could try moving there caves about so they re-establish there terrotorys, might help

[bassgenie]

I agree. Move their caves around and add a couple more caves.

[CUPfishhead]

Had to seperate them, they really were fighting. But they now seem to be settled into their new tanks alpha male and another male with 2 females and the beta male with 2 females. Hope they get along now. Thanks for all the help

Heres the new zebra tank 15gal

Heres the trio in the 15gal