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?
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