I have had my female paradise for over a year and I recently(within the last 3-4 months) purcused a male. He has not shown any aggression to the female until yesterday. They are in a planted 10g with a bushy nosed pleco. He started building a buildnest so I know that is part of the problem with his recent aggression. However, he is tearing my female to bits. Most of her caudal fin is in rags and her left pectoral fin is half gone.

Is this a normal reaction prior to breeding or is the male being a big bully? Should I remove the female until he is done with the nest? I had the power filter turned almost all the way off as not to disturb the nest);however, I read that another person keeps the water turbulent to prevent the nests and the aggression.

I would like them to breed, but not at the expense of possibly losing the female. Any help would be greatly appreciated.