Female gerbil advice!

Question
Right back ground info- the other day i purchased 2 gerbils- an agouti from pets at home, which due to quiet evening i was allowed to handle, but it was the last gerbil they had so i had to buy her 'mate' from elsewhere. (Shes an 8 week female, very pretty, very handleable) And the other smoke grey one is from a private owner, who has just starting breeding gerbils. it was the only female she had, and she was living with mum n dad, brother, and mums new litter of 1 week olds with no problems. Shes a 6 week female.

Was told as long as both gerbils are under 10weeks there would be no problems, and the tank is massive so they had lots of room to move around and get away from each other.

I put them in their 'home' tank at the same time as i felt it was important that they get put in the new home together so it was neutral ground. First of they ignored each other, and had an explore on their own. When they clicked that there was someone else in the tank they had a sniff and a chase, but there was no teeth, and i just presumed they were establishing dominance. After this there was no real fighting just squeaking and glaring at each other, and the sometimes thumping of back legs, but they also very much kept their distance from each other, and they would never other be out at the same time, if one discovered the other out they might chase each other- but again no teeth. I thought this might settle down, but when I got up this morning (2 days later)the agouti had a cut on her cheek and the smoke had a cut on the base of her tail(superficial wounds but not nice all the same.) There is nothing i am aware of in the tank that could have done this so presume they did it to each other in the night.

I have left the agouti in the tank, and have put the smoke in a wire hamster cage for the time being (all i have). Sadly the smoke seems happier for it-  have seen much more of her. Am i right to separate them or is this a spat/ etablishment of dominance that will sort itself out between them? should i put them back and let them sort it? Should i try split cage (could i just put the hamster cage in the tank?) Please let me know! I really don't want them to have to live alone, but i equally don't want them to really hurt each other! Awaiting you help!! :)  

Answer
Hello,

Ok i will try my best. Basically the rule is gerbils over 10weeks will rarely except another mate, but females are harder to put together than males as they are more aggressive. You have the right idea with the neutral ground thing, but because they had never met each other they probably just went for each other in the night.

You need to get them used to each other before putting them in together. The best way to do this is try and put a mesh divider half way down the cage so that they can sniff and see each other, but so they cant fight. Then twice a day or so you need to swap them over so that they are living in the other ones area, and can really smell the other ones scent. This way the become used to the others scent, and can learn to get on with each other. When you have time you should let them out for short periods somewhere neutral such as a bath tub, or on a bed. Do this as often as you can, the more you allow them to interact under supervision the more likely they will get on.
It may take you a week, or a month to do this, or they may never get on, as it is never a guarantee, but the above is the best thing you can do!!

If you have any problems let me know, and let me know how you get on.

Charlie