Mandarin Goby pair - fighting or mating??

[reefer0708]

My Mandarin pair were doing this for a good 5 minutes. They were appear to be courting just prior to the male biting the female. I feel bad.. been trying to separate them since yesterday to no avail (my tank is too big). They're behaving normally now though.. just minor chasing, etc. They've been together in the tank for 2 years. This is the 1st time I've witnessed them behaving this way.

 

[Daddy-o]

We had that issue and it turned out they were both males

 

[OrionN]

That is fighting. They are both male. It is likely that the smaller on has his spike broke off so you mistake him as a female. He need to be remove or else he will be kill fairly quickly

 

[reefer0708]

Well noted! I'm draining the tank this weekend..so good time to separate them. Thanks guys