>I've got my gerbils for over a year now, 5 males and they have never fight >with eachother, but now sinds two day they constantly fight with >eachtother thill they die! >1 is already dead, and 1 is injured, what should i do, and why are they >fighting!?!?!?! > >[This is just a quick answer. The experts will give you additional >advice.] > >You must separate the males who are fighting or the war can continue. >Deaths also can continue. > >Something has changed their stable adult relationship. Be sure they >aren't competing for water or food. Is their home big enough for 4 >adults? Is there plenty of bedding and shelter places? > >Perhaps you will be able to reintroduce them by split cage method, and >perhaps not. Right now beside me is a year-old male who was being bullied >in the bachelor tank, and I'm not sure what I'll do for him permanently. >At least he isn't hurt and he seems to like my close company. > >Experts?? More help for Ferdy? I'm not an expert, but it sounds like not enough space. I'd get another cage and split them pronto (two to a cage). If the one is badly injured, rig the second cage as a split cage, and put one of his brothers on one side and the injured one on the other. Then when the injured one heals up the divider can be removed. It could have been the smallest thing that triggered the initial fighting; and it continued because of stress or environment. A 10 gallon (38 Liter) aquarium is the minimum space for two adult gerbils, I usually prefer the 20 gallon for three, and would suggest a 30 to a 55 gallon tank for five.... (trotting off and measuring.... a 10 gallon tank is 10.25x12.0 x12.0 inches or 26 x 30.5 x 51 cm; a 20 gallon tank is 12 x 12 x 24 inches or 30.5 x 30.5 x 61 cm) [glass on outside minus the plastic upper and lower lip rings]
