Interesting Melanochromis Behavior

[Jerzboi]

Tonight I was just watching my new cichlids when I noticed off to the side two of my melanochromis cyanerhabdos (Maingano) were what seemed to be like chasing each other's tails, making a tight circle. It was neat to watch as they did this for a couple minutes and the one's color was intensley black and blue. Just wondered if anyone else has seen behaviors like this out of the melanochromis?

The new guys are so much fun to watch

 

[blue2fyre]

I've seen this from several of my mbuna. In my tank it's usually fighting, but in a less damaging way. They just like to establish who is boss. I agree they are fun to watch.

 

[mr.cichlid]

this behaviour is common with most of the mbuna cichlids...other day i saw my red zebras trying to show dominance between themselves by advancing over each other face to face then going back...they do this for few minutes then BANG!!! liplock fight...very soon they just leave other and go on with their own business...hahaha

 

[mcybyk]

Mine are the same way - someone is usually putting on a show every night. It is fun to watch. Just make sure that it does not get excessive to the point that a fish becomes stressed out or get killed.

 

[d1anonly22]

my melanos including my johanni and aruatus used to do it. i always hoped it was a mating dance since my johanni was a male and my aruatus was a female. wow do i miss all that color flying by in my tank.

 

[ibr3ak]

My growout labs used to do it, I don't miss it at all, a calmer, more peaceful tank is far more enjoyable than the apes%^& nuthouse.

 

[efors]

my melanos including my johanni and aruatus used to do it. i always hoped it was a mating dance since my johanni was a male and my aruatus was a female.

It could be a mating dance. Were they making a tight circle swimming fast or slow? Fast usually means fight to establish who is the boss; slow may mean a mating dance of a pair.