I have just read the previous posts about turtles fighting... but I am still unsure about my situation, so any input anyone has will really help me.
I have had Myrtle (male) for 4 years now, and have had Leonardo (female) for 2. They have lived peaceably in a tank together and for the past year they have seemed to be courting. Leonardo hardly goes anywhere without Myrtle being close to her in my 65 gallon tank. When they bask on the dock, Leonardo sits on Myrtles back. They are very good about eating together and have always seemed to share the space very well.
While I was sitting literally 5 feet from the tank tonight, Leonardo suddenly began biting Myrtle on the back of his neck right behind his head where he could not reach her. Myrtle started frantically swimming away, but Leonardo was latched on to him. I jumped in and tried to grab Leo and eventually got her off Myrtle. Once I pulled her out of the tank she was still trying to bite toward him.
Could Leonardo suddenly get territorial, even though Myrtle was there first? Could she go from a state of seeming obsession with Myrtle to outright attacking him? Myrtle is about 3 times the size, but was terrified of her after I separated them.
I have never seen them fight before and have never seen signs of aggressive play on either of them.
I have Leonardo in a 5 gallon bucket right now that I use for cleaning and am awaiting any information that can be helpful.
