i received two perfect liopropoma rubre specimens last friday after waiting a couple of months while the supplier kept them and observed them to ensure they had become a bonded pair.
what i have been witnessing since their introduction into their new 28g home is somewhat odd. my tank lights do not start coming on until 2pm, so every day since friday i have been observing them with ambiant lighting from the room all morning until the lights come on. they are both out swimming freely all over the tank during this time. i'm very happy to see this being that i suspected they would be reclusive and hiding in the rocks most of the time this soon. the first day they were in the tank they seemed to spend a lot of time together. they are both out swimming peacefully, but now don't appear to be spending any time together - they are doing their own thing and only encounter each other randomly.
once the lights come on, however, i've been witnessing what appears to be some territorial aggression from the bigger one. it's basically keeping the smaller one in hiding. it's like the smaller one wants to come out and explore even with the tank lights on, but once it does the larger one bolts at it and chases it back into hiding. i haven't seen any nipping or signs of nipping by way of torn fins. but i'm worried that the pairing may be off, or maybe it's completely normal behavior. i've never kept a pair together before, so i'm hoping someone who has this experience can shed some light.
couple of pictures since receiving them.
this is the bigger, more dominant one...it's mostly out swimming about regardless of the lights.
what i have been witnessing since their introduction into their new 28g home is somewhat odd. my tank lights do not start coming on until 2pm, so every day since friday i have been observing them with ambiant lighting from the room all morning until the lights come on. they are both out swimming freely all over the tank during this time. i'm very happy to see this being that i suspected they would be reclusive and hiding in the rocks most of the time this soon. the first day they were in the tank they seemed to spend a lot of time together. they are both out swimming peacefully, but now don't appear to be spending any time together - they are doing their own thing and only encounter each other randomly.
once the lights come on, however, i've been witnessing what appears to be some territorial aggression from the bigger one. it's basically keeping the smaller one in hiding. it's like the smaller one wants to come out and explore even with the tank lights on, but once it does the larger one bolts at it and chases it back into hiding. i haven't seen any nipping or signs of nipping by way of torn fins. but i'm worried that the pairing may be off, or maybe it's completely normal behavior. i've never kept a pair together before, so i'm hoping someone who has this experience can shed some light.
couple of pictures since receiving them.
this is the bigger, more dominant one...it's mostly out swimming about regardless of the lights.
