My Harlequin's Hate Each Other

lkc · 04/22/2012, 06:22 PM

Hi everyone.
Asking for advice:
I acquired a female harlequin then a few days later a male.
It's been six months and they just have not taken to each other. The first time they got around each other, the female attacked the male. Then the male ripped off the antenula of the female. I separated them immediately.

They are similar in size, with the female being slightly larger. She has molted and is getting bigger all the time. He has not. She has four distinctive dots on her underside and he has a smooth creamy/yellowish belly. Believe me, I have checkd this fact 20 times now. The female consantly comes at the male with arms waving and he always jumps back about 4 inches to get away from her.

I really don't know where to go from here. Shall I get an even smaller male?
Whatever I do, it's going to have to be smaller. All the LFS's around here have very small specimens, of either sex. Smaller than my male.

Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I've got them in a 50G softie tank so they can have their space. However, I really want to house them in the 12G nano that I set up for them.

Thanks for looking!

L.

bohannbj · 05/02/2012, 04:55 PM

They aren't easy to pair. That's why I only buy them as a mated pair. You could still encounter problems pairing the new one up. It's about as bad as pairing gold stripes. Has the female started spawning yet? If not, she may take to the male once she needs his swimmers. A lack of options often leads to results.

afamousjohnson · 05/02/2012, 09:13 PM

My last pair went through the same thing and wouldnt take to eachother. I ended up having to return one and repair which took very nicely. When I ve seen it happen and ive had pairs in a few different tanks they take right away. how did you introduce the male?? If you forced them to meet than that could be your problem. You should always introduce them on opposite sides of the tank if one is in there already, and let them do the work and find eachother. Its funny when ya watch because you can tell they know eachother are there almost imedeitly. Hope it gets better for ya. There so pretty its lame when they dont get along.

tao chuan fa · 05/11/2012, 09:24 PM

I had a female first and added a significantly smaller male 6 months later.They got along wonderful after the first defensive posturing.I would definitely trade one out.Make sure you have a large enough star for them to share.Good luck.

04/22/2012, 06:22 PM	#1
lkc Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 238	My Harlequin's Hate Each Other Hi everyone. Asking for advice: I acquired a female harlequin then a few days later a male. It's been six months and they just have not taken to each other. The first time they got around each other, the female attacked the male. Then the male ripped off the antenula of the female. I separated them immediately. They are similar in size, with the female being slightly larger. She has molted and is getting bigger all the time. He has not. She has four distinctive dots on her underside and he has a smooth creamy/yellowish belly. Believe me, I have checkd this fact 20 times now. The female consantly comes at the male with arms waving and he always jumps back about 4 inches to get away from her. I really don't know where to go from here. Shall I get an even smaller male? Whatever I do, it's going to have to be smaller. All the LFS's around here have very small specimens, of either sex. Smaller than my male. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now, I've got them in a 50G softie tank so they can have their space. However, I really want to house them in the 12G nano that I set up for them. Thanks for looking! L.

05/02/2012, 04:55 PM	#2
bohannbj Fight the Pinkertons Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Grundy, VA Posts: 142	They aren't easy to pair. That's why I only buy them as a mated pair. You could still encounter problems pairing the new one up. It's about as bad as pairing gold stripes. Has the female started spawning yet? If not, she may take to the male once she needs his swimmers. A lack of options often leads to results. __________________ Try giving constructive advise and answering questions for a change instead of preaching. If you don't have anything to help someone succeed besides "quit or give up" then don't post. Beware of the forum Moo Moo ladies, they can't be reasoned with. Current Tank Info: 30+29+75+40+20+20+75+40=329

05/02/2012, 09:13 PM	#3
afamousjohnson Just Keep Swimming Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chico, ca Posts: 360	My last pair went through the same thing and wouldnt take to eachother. I ended up having to return one and repair which took very nicely. When I ve seen it happen and ive had pairs in a few different tanks they take right away. how did you introduce the male?? If you forced them to meet than that could be your problem. You should always introduce them on opposite sides of the tank if one is in there already, and let them do the work and find eachother. Its funny when ya watch because you can tell they know eachother are there almost imedeitly. Hope it gets better for ya. There so pretty its lame when they dont get along. __________________ The cure for everything is Saltwater Sweat, Tears, and the Sea Experience is something you get right after you need it.....than there was RC Current Tank Info: 90gallon bonsai 2B inspired SPS /- mixed reef DT, 40gallon sump, and all the cool gadgets i can get on it

05/11/2012, 09:24 PM	#4
tao chuan fa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 52	I had a female first and added a significantly smaller male 6 months later.They got along wonderful after the first defensive posturing.I would definitely trade one out.Make sure you have a large enough star for them to share.Good luck.