1 male, 1 unknown

[misterslim]

Thanks for helping

I have 2 cresteds housed in a 29 tall hex aquarium. Both are approx. 6months old.

One has started to show bulges at the base of the tail, the other has not. Is it o.k. to keep these two together until the other is 100% sexed or should I seperate. I interact every day and keep a close eye on the sex.

Thanks
Dave

[babysweet]

I would be a tad concerned about leaving them together. If they're both males, there's a potential for figting. If they're opposite sex, there's a chance of; 1) early pregnancy - I'm of the school of thought that an animal should never be bred until it's 100% ready. This is thought to be 10-12 months in cresties. 2) the male may pester the female.

I honestly don't know if this is really an issue in cresteds, but I know in other species that if the male becomes sexually mature before the female is ready, he may pester her. Unneccessary stress on your girl, if you ask me.

Anyways, let us know what you decide, and what the outcome is.

[DragnDrop]

As soon as one of them is sexable as male, they should be separated. Cresties have raging hormones like very few other lifeforms :) You'll find your male will be pestering the other one to either mate if she's female, or to get him to move out or get kicked out if he's a male. Sometimes males can live together in harmony, but it's 'iffy' at best. At 6 months old, your male will be experimenting with girls soon, and the other one, if female, is way too young. Females should be 12months old or even a few months older to make sure they're fully matured and ready to breed.

[babysweet]

Thunder, there's one more thing I would take into consideration.

The risk/reward ratio here is pretty skewed in favour of removing one of them. Some people will argue that males can be kept together, and pairs won't breed until they're both ready... but why risk it?

When the answer is as simple as seperating them. Especially with cresties, this is so easy... really, all you need is a tank and some decoration - corkbark, driftwood, plants, etc. Even egg carton if you want to go the less $$ route.

I tend to go with the "err on the side of caution" argument, even moreso that the solution in this instance is so quick and painless. :)

Kim

[misterslim]

thank you