my stendker discus juvies are "sparring" with each other!

[sushiray]

72gal BF bare bottom discus juvie tank, 15 variety of discus from Discus Hans, varying sizes (some larger than 2.5"), 2 AC110's + sponge filter + airstone, 1 pc driftwood 16".

just did 75% w/c, pH 6.6 AM=.125 NI=0 NA=2.5

have my discus set up since June. but recently (within last couple of weeks) they have been "sparring" with each other, or just simply chasing each other.

it happens anytime of the day they will mostly chase each other (before after & during feedings). in fact, at this very moment they are going thru the drill.

feed them mostly flakes (HGH/tetramin), once/twice a week either frozen brine or bloodworms.

and get this! it's the smaller juvies (still 2.5") that are showing their spunkiness chasing each other including going after the bigger juvies, whereas the bigger juvies (3.0-3.5") are not as spunky. they will at times chase back cuz they're being annoyed by the little guys!

I have seen a few "spar" with each other (sort of like how bettas like to "spar"). they actually go head to head cuz one of them won't back down.

there is not one that is a weakling & not one who is the main bully. tho at one point, my marlboros were the most aggressive - yet they were not the biggest. even my smallest of the lot gets into it taking no crap from no one!

they were fine for so long together, schooling all together, hovering in the corners all together if frightened.

but it has only been a few weeks where they now swim the whole tank w/o fear & come to the surface knowing I am going to feed them.

any clues? it looks like they have plenty of room to swim around with each other.

thx

[fishorama]

My littlest ones are tough too, just being cichlids sorting out a pecking order I think.

[sushiray]

My littlest ones are tough too, just being cichlids sorting out a pecking order I think.

well then, all of mine are pecking at the order tree!!

& you're right! cichlids! that's what it reminded me of! but what I consider all other cichlids vs. discus! I like to place discus in their own sub-class of cichlids & all the numerous too many to name as "other" cichlids!

[sushiray]

but let me ask this - do your discus square off against each other, i.e. face to face mouth to mouth? like they were going to lock lips? that's what I am worried about...

not just the pecking of each other on their sides - which is the more common action going on in my tank.

but the mano-a-mano - that's when things get a bit hairy!

[pinkertd]

It's normal teenage discus behavior Ray. As long as no one fish is being bullied into hiding, don't worry. It will stop when they are bigger. The last two juvie blue cobalts I got did this constantly...the same one was always the stinker. Now they are grown and are tank buds, inseparable.

[sushiray]

thx! at least not one is picked by them all! it is random! & at least the smaller ones are not afraid to hold their own in the tank!