Pairing Blood Oranges

[Bitis Botanical]

I have two blood orange (maroon x ocellaris) that I would like to pair. One fish is 2" snout to tail tip, the other just a hair smaller which I know is not ideal but that's what I had available to work with. I introduced them today and they fought intensely enough that I separated them with an eggcrate divider to give them a break. During the fight they locked lips several times, which I've read is a common maroon female behavior. My question is, is this a 100% exclusive female thing and a sign that both fish have already transitioned, or should I make further attempts to pair them after they have spent some time in eggcrate jail?

 

[James M]

You’re not going to have any luck with paring them if they are similar in size. One has to be significantly smaller than the other when it comes to maroons

 

[Bitis Botanical]

I was hoping being half ocellaris would even out their temperament some but it looks like that may not be the case lol

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I have a 7 year old blood clown defiantly female. Started with 2 one bigger than the other she killed him about 4 months later. I have tried 2 other times to get her a male but same thing almost immediately the fight began and the little male just could not take it. Had to rehome the males both times.I personal think she is more of a B**** than maroons that I have had in the past.

 

[Bitis Botanical]

Finally got power back today after the hurricane knocked us out last Friday. One of the fish found a way to slip through eggcrate jail and they seem to have come to an agreement, they hang out together now with no more aggression beyond the usual posturing and submission. If they go back to fighting I'll split them up again but so far all is well.