fighting or mating...who can tell? and how can I help them?

[tfish]

I have a small group of 6 congo tetras in my 55. I bought them about a year ago. When I got them, they were really too small to determine male/female. In the year that I have had them, some of them have developed very long, beautiful fins, revealing that I have 5 males and 1 female. Recently though, I have discovered a problem amongst my congos. I have one male who has taken it upon himself to chase around any other congo that comes near him. If the fish doesn't swim away, than the two fish spread their fins way out, circle one another for a couple of turns and then chase each other around.

I believe that maybe since my fish are more mature, this may be some sort of mating thing? I don't know. Normally I would just let them do their thing, but I am worried about my other congos. Their long, beautiful fins are not so long anymore. I fear that this one congo has nipped them a few times!

Is this normal behavior? What should I do for my fish?!:(

[djlen]

Your ratio of males to females is not good to say the least. If you can, you might be better off returning at least 3 of the males to the LFS and picking up 3 females. This should help to settle things down.
Len

[Bantam]

i agree. the behaviour is mating related but its going to manifest itself with the males fighting each other because of the ratio you have.
not many animals would do well 5 males to 1 female
add some females as mentioned above, you never know you might get a spawn.

good luck