General Care Discussion :: Male begin have weird habits

[owintertimeo]

I have 2 red ear sliders (male+female) for 6 month now and they get along vary well. But 2-3 days I begin see the male have weird habits...

He swim around like he smell something and he go to around female back side (he act like smell something from her back side) and the problem is he try to bite her tail ! but after that he stay still not chasing her.

it happen many times so I buy a new fish tank with 30 gallons think maybe the old tank too small . But even that they like stick together and the male still have that habits

they live with (small) 6 tiger barb , 3 angle fish...If my male have aggressive habits he should chasing my fish too like? but he didn't.

So I don't know I should separate them now or it just a normal thing he will stop this habits soon?

[steve]

It'll only escalate. So the sooner you separate, the better. How big/old are they now? My male RES likes to smell everything though... even when outside. Pretty cute, but they will be aggressive as they mature.

[owintertimeo]

They two are about 3 inches now. He also like to searching under rocks or mess up decorations all day. So I should separate now...too bad they seem get along vary well back then

[steve]

RES like to forage and explore, that's pretty normal. As for separation... you still have time but it will get worse and hopefully you can separate them before any injuries arise. Is he a confirmed male?

[owintertimeo]

The pet shop told me he is male...and I think so he have longer tail and nails then another one. And thank for answer my questions

[steve]

Don't always trust what the pet shop tells you but it does sound like a male.