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Hello I have two RES, aged about 15, who I rescued a few months ago and I can't work them out!

I sometimes walk up to them to find the male with his mouth clinging on to the females foot with his mouth. I immediately assume he's biting her and try to separate them, but she doesn't seem in any distress, and he doesn't seem to be biting her at all, but either sucking or simply holding on to her. They are both just sat there on the bottom of the tank, and she is looking around without paying him any attention. So it LOOKS like he's not hurting her but can;t be sure.

This morning he had his mouth around her excess neck skin, and she didn't care until I used food to distract him - then she fought him off and got impatient to get to the food - but it took a long time for him to let go. Picking them both up together doesn't help.

I see him trying to woo her every night with his long fingernails, but she never seems too bothered. so maybe he's just after attention.

After a lot of reading up on this site, I see their tank is not a bad size - 80 - 90 gallons or so, and when we first got them I created the right basking environment and a good filter - things they have never had before. So their environment is better than ever before and I cannot see how problems should start now.?

Any advice appreciated!

I'm afraid you might have to separate them. It's only a matter of time before the injuries and stress escalates in there.

It's not something you can control or predict, but when a male RES is involved, these things tend to happen.

Hi thanks for the reply. Yes I was afraid you might suggest that! It's so odd - I guess I'm hoping if she finally gives in to hIs advances then all this will stop!

It's not the first time someone moved their turtles only to have some aggression surface. It's definitely something unexpected and unfortunate. It might subside, it might stir up again... it's impossible to tell.