clown loaches, mouths locked

[Holly9937]

2 of my clowns spent a good 15 minutes or so yesterday kind of wrestling. They looked like they were attached at the mouth and were flipping each other around. Anyone know what this behavior is? Playing? Fighting??

 

[patoloco]

Hi Holly! Long time no see. This behaviour is common on angelfish, however I've neven seen it on loaches.

It must be some kind of territorial fight. Or meybe they are both in love with the same girld... who knows....

 

[wwildcats04]

my two often times do that as well... wish I could help

 

[Holly9937]

Maybe it is playing?? They all seem to like each other quite a bit, and I'm assuming at 3-4 inches that is too small for breeding behavior?

 

[jshultis]

I have ocellatus and they do the same thing. ocellatus are very territorial when it comes to their shells

 

[emoore]

When I had my clowns the two largest used to do that almost everytime after feeding. I think they are trying to establish who is the "dominate" fish. No harm ever came out of it so yours should be fine.

 

[wesleydnunder]

Look closely next time they do it. Are the mouthparts attached or are they locking cheek spines?

Mark

 

[jhj]

My two clown loaches 'lock mouth' and fight a lot. I call it fighting because they are at it for a while and the colors of the weaker loach dull out.

 

[jec0995]

My two clown loaches 'lock mouth' and fight a lot. I call it fighting because they are at it for a while and the colors of the weaker loach dull out.

I could be wrong...but I think the dominant loach is the one who turns dull. This is known as "graying out." My smaller ones (3-4 inches) went through a period of time where they did this at every feeding. It lasted a good 10-15 minutes and they were very clearly fighting over dominance. Usually the dual would last the entire length of the feeding and they would barely get any food. LOL!!

There are very few animal species that will actually "play." Now, I know certain species (dolphins, bonobos, apes etc...) do from time to time but, usually there is an alternative motive behind it.

Anyway, like others said above, there won't be any harm. They will most certaintly figure things out on their own. Good luck with the clowns. Mine are fantastic and a lot of fun. I'll never have a tank without loaches.

Jimmy