General Care Discussion :: Question about two RES's attacking each other. HELP PLEASE

[robd1]

I have two RES,s that have lived togather for about 3 years and have got along fine. They lived in a 55 gal tank with about 6 in. of water in it, with one third of the tank had dry rock area to sun bathe. Today I dicided to clean the tank and fill it with water about 3/4 the way from the top so they could swim more, and to take the gravel out because they were eating it. Soon as I did this the bigger RES started to chase the smaller RES and bitting it. The large RES is about 6 in and the smaller one is 4 in. I took the smaller one out because I thought it was going to get kiiled.
Does any one have any idea why the larger RES would all of a sudden start attacking the smaller RES after 3 years? I am pretty sure that the larger RES is a female but I am not sure If the smaller one is male.

I don't want to separate these Turtles.

Thank for any help.

[coreyvht]

they where prob showing domice over each other and astablishing new boundire kinda like dogs new inviroment

[Fezan Ray]

owh, if both female, i think there's no prob.but never put more than 1 male, especially when they not have enough space for them...they will fight each other to take over the place..if 1 male, & 1 female, they might be fight,might be not.it depends on their 'mood' hehe..

[sull324]

I have similar issues,as soon as i change something,basking platform,decoration and etc,my big one start showing dominance,it eventually calm down after a few days.

[robd1]

Just to let everyone that posted know that everything calmed down after a tense 24 hours of bitting.


Thanks for all the help.