Year old gerbil is really aggressive

[Jinxxy]

I have three gerbils, two nutmegs (Draiman and Sammi. Had them since feburary and april)) and then the black i've raised since he was born, Jinxx.

Jinxx was originally with his one brother, Jaylex, but he passed away after Christmas. So I bought Draiman for Jinxx a little while later. I had them in a 10 gallon split, but only for a few days. After that, they were fine together. They never fought. Draiman was always very calm and never tried to show dominance or anything of that sort. 

But then I bought Drai's sister, Sammi. I wanted to breed her to Jinxx, so I left Drai alone in a 20 gal and let Jinxx and Sam split in the 10 gal. Same thing, the got along almost immediately. (I haven't got any litters from them though...)

And since the breeding, for whatever reason, isnt working i decided to put Jinxx back with Draiman and switch Sam for a new female. I had added a split added to the 20 gal so Jinxx and Drai had more room. They're still in it, but Jinxx is really, really aggressive towards him now. As in, he keeps trying to jump or climb the mesh, constantly biting it, etc. He did this before, when they first met but it wasn't as bad and he didn't do this very often. Now thats all he does. Not that long ago, I was adding cardboard to both sides of the split and when i grabbed a paper roll, Jinxx jumped over. Then he started attacking Draiman. So instinctively, I put my hand in the tank. I know, pretty stupid right? I didn't have a glove or anything nearby, either. But if i went to look for one, obviously Drai would need the vet. So I picked up Jinxx as fast as I could, and he kept squirming. Right when I was going to put him in his side, he latched his freaking teeth on my finger. He bit down sooo hard, I couldn't get him off. I was trying to lift his nose up, but he wouldn't budge. I'm not proud of it, but I had to pinch his leg hard enough to make him let go. Otherwise, I'd probably end up flailing my arms and have him fly across my room  

So I guess my question is, should I really try to have them together again? I know Jinxx probably thinks that Draiman is trying to steal Sammi or his territory, etc. but it seems kinda weird since Him and Sam haven't been together for a few hours. And Draiman is usually sleeping/burrowing or not even paying any attention to Jinxx. I guess I'm a little freaked out by this. Jinxx has never bit me UNLESS he thought my hand was food by accident, or because I accidentally disturbed his nest or burrow. But since he was attacking Draiman, it makes sense why he would bite me. just not like that, You know? Now I'm scared to put Jinxx back with Sammi, since thats the only other place I can put him. And the mesh biting worries me. Should I really worry about it? The holes are just big enough for them to fit their noses through.

[crittercrazy]

I guess my best advice is to give it a couple of days with them separated, then try the split between Jinxx and Draiman again.
If you don't have enough cages to have Jinxx by himself, and don't want to attempt another intro with Sam, then I would split the 20 gallon with Sammi on the other side, but not try to introduce them. So don't swap sides, and give them their usual toys/etc.
Then after a couple of days, try the intro between Jinxx and Draiman again. (I would suggest doing it in the 10 gallon if possible. That usually works better)

And I just wanted to add- about the biting thing, you did better than me! When I got bitten like that (again, because they were fighting and I intervened without gloves) I did fling the gerbil to the floor. I was only eleven and it freaked me out. . . so instincts took over. . . yeah, not proud of that one either.
It does seem like odd timing though. Usually the Jinxx should have bitten you when you first put your hand in there, not after you picked up up. I'm afraid I don't have an explanation though.

Sorry I don't have more to offer. I hope things work out!!

[betty]

How is it all going now?

I was thinking though, that if you don't think he will go back with a male, them why not pop him back with Sammi. Males and females are usually easier to split anyway, and if they aren't going to produce pups, you can keep them together forever quite happily. Then split the new female to Drai.

Or was it Jinx you wanted for your breeding programme?

[Jinxxy]

Yes, only Jinxx and Sammi since I don't want to inbreed. It really wasn't working out with my two males. Jinxx kept climbing the mesh and trying to bite it that way, after I had put my "barriers" to make him stop. (On Drai's side, I would build up the bedding against the mesh so if Jinxx chewed, he would end up getting a mouthful of bedding. It made him stop, but then he got smart and started climbing xD)

So I switched Sammi and Drai, and hopefully this will work. (So no Jinxx and Sammi are together, leaving Draiman alone again)

[betty]

So back to square one.

But if you get Jinx back with Sammi, then you could still breed Drai to another female if he is being material rather than leave him alone. Unless you will try to get him another male friend....

[Jinxxy]

there are only two females i could breed Drai to. Jinxx's younger brother's offspring or his mate. I doubt that would work though. Those two are my brothers anyway.

My plan was to have Sammi and Jinxx have one litter and keep one or two males for Drai. Then one pup was going to Sam and Drai's past owner. (Her gerbils aren't really an option to breed to either since they are all related)