are they fighting or loving each other?

[mtdewlover]

I've posted lately about an algae eater. But something else has caught my eye in my cichlid tank. I have a 29 gallon tank with three red zebras and two yellow tailed violet cichlids. Sorry if this is repetitive to anyone. Well, every once in awhile my male zebra and a female zebra will lock mouths and hold on to each other for awhile. I can't tell if they are fighting or if this is some kind of loving behavior. Any ideas?? :confused:

[demon_surfer]

it could be either. do they spend time together?

is the male cleaning out a little cave or hole in the gravel and defending it? that means he is getting a territory ready to try and attact a mate. so it might be courting.

but there is a definate possiblity of fighting.

[stoopid]

That's a good question, a lot of courting behavior can appear agressive to us. I usually ignore the little stuff until I see damaged fins/bites, then I'll remove the weaker one (sick tank). If the rowdy fish attacks another, I'd bring him in for 50% credit at the LFS or buy a bigger tank :p.

[jimbo]

For as far as I know, lip locking does not make part of their courting rituals.
I know it does to some s/a or c/a cichlides like the Oscar, but to my knowledge not to Malawians.
It is, I guess, the same as in the human world; when a woman does not like the man but he is persisting, she can sometimes react aggressively.

Jimmy

[JSchmidt]

Sounds like fighting to me, esp. if the fish involved are zebras.

Jim

[fam1197]

As i've seen with my malawi cichlids, mouth to mouth is confrontation, usually for territory. Mainly between males. When they are courting, the male colors brighten and they will constantly harrass the females trying to lead them into the males territory, the males will block the females path and shake their tail vigorously back and forth. It may take up to a week for the female to respond and follow the male into his "area".