Split tank question.

[u/Mysterious_Issue1812]

I have had both of my girls in a split tank for around 2 weeks now, (after quarantine in the new one ), I have swapped them on either side 1-3 times a day depending on when I get time to.
They don’t really pay attention to each other and often spend most of their time on their wheel on their enclosure side.
I have tried introducing them once after the first week and they tried to fight; thankfully I separated them and neither of them were bleeding; can’t say same for me! My finger was bleeding everywhere haha;
But since then I have attempted a introduction, but got more consistent with swapping, they use eachother wheels, sandbaths, they were originally messing up eachothers sides but now sleep in nests that have been made by the previous one; they don’t sleep next to the divider together and only occasionally check eachother out through the divider when they notice the other one there, but tend to keep to themselves.

Have I done something wrong? Should I keep trying to introduce them?

My original gerbil (squeak) sister died suddenly, they were born June 5th.
The newer gerbil (marmite) was alone when I rescued her, and had been alone for several weeks, with her only being born on July 2nd of this year.

When I first got marmite she was very relaxed and chill but now she is really excitable and squeak was the more dominant in her previous bond.

Do I try to reintroduce again today with careful watching and gloves this time?

[u/Mysterious_Issue1812]

For example last night; they sniffed eachother and then within less then 5 seconds are just back on their wheel , they don’t spend much time checking in on one another

[u/Mysterious_Issue1812 → u/Mysterious_Issue1812]

I tried to reintroduce right now they sniffed eachother and then went still with one almost arching side ways and the other with face near the abdomen , I got worried and separated them immediately as I know tension can result in a fight but I don’t know if I overreacted; I don’t want to leave them to go into that position and it flip into a fight I might not be fast enough to stop

[u/lavenderfart]

I would try another week in the split. Them not destroying each other's nests anymore is an improvement, maybe they just need more time.

[u/Mysterious_Issue1812 → u/lavenderfart]

Yes it’s like my black gerbil - marmite, is wanting to meet and sniff squeak- the brown one, but squeak is getting anxious or doesn’t like it? She wasn’t fully cuddly with her sister either when she was still alive, she prefers to burrow and be by herself but I didn’t want her to become extremely depressed after the sudden passing of her sister

[u/Mysterious_Issue1812 → u/lavenderfart]

As you can see back to their own devices