Nibbling fish

[Holly9937]

2 of my bala sharks have been quite interested in each other lately, and they are nibbling on each other quite a bit. They look like they are trying to suck on the others side or something !!! Does anyone know if this is more of a play thing, a mating thing, or more of a hierarchy thing?

 

[jasonskillz]

how long have u had them?
if its for a long time, then this is the first time this has happened then tats not good.

 

[Ghost_knife]

If you have another tank as a QT one I would suggest moving one for awhile and test your water levels.

 

[Holly9937]

I've had them for a while, at least a year. They are in a 180g tank, water conditions are fine!! They aren't injuring each other, so I don't want to QT, they would be way too skittish in a 10g tank. I read somewhere that around 4-5 inches (which they are) is when they become sexually mature. I have heard that the bumping into each other could be for lots of different reasons, but the "sucking/biting" at each other is new!!

 

[Ghost_knife]

could be getting "friendly" with one another maybe

 

[BrianAW]

ive got 2 as well in a much smaller tank but they are only about 3-4 inches. they have yet to have the same problems but i had 2 before that tragecally commited suicide :thud:
i got these after i got the rest of my tank covered.
they did the same thing that you are mentioning, did if for a few months, before....you know.. but neve have any fry or anything so dont really know what it was. the point is they never hurt each other doing it, i thinks it might just be a sign of affection.

hope this helps :/