Male rats

Question
I have 2 male rats each approx 1 year old. They are from different litters, but have been living together for 8 months. Lately, one male has been bullying the other male, to the point that I have had to separate them. They are both great and gentle with people, but the one bully is very rough with the other more passive male. I have given the dominant one away to a friend for a pet and kept the passive, relaxed male. My question is, will my male be ok living alone. I couldn't stand to see him being tormented everyday by the other more dominant male. And I don't want to mix my max-relax guy with another male rat. I give him much attention and his cage has lots of fun stuff to do (ie. ramps and ledges to climb). I appreciate you expert advice. Thanks.

Answer
He should be ok alone. They push the issue that rats MUST be with other rats, but that is usually when they are happy with the other rat.  I am sure he will be happy not being scared and bullied all the time.  This doesnt shock me that they started fighting around this age. Hormone levels soar around this age and when one male wants to be the boss plus may have some problems with aggression already, this is when trouble starts.  I have had to separate plenty of my males over the years, having four males all living alone after around 8 or 9 months of living together. It depends on how well they are bred, to be honest. I have had more males than females (I cant deal with the mammary tumor issues that tend to be more common with intact females regardless of how well they are bred) I have had a pair of males love each other till the other died...and have had others that wanted to kill each other.  Right now though I have a trio of bucks who turned a year in May and they are from a really good breeder about 4 hours away from me ( drove 8hrs round trip for them!) and they are madly in love with each other.  Your boy will do fine alone, as long as you give him daily attention and take him out to play etc...