dc
July 19th 05, 04:10 PM
I've kept rainbowfish as dither fish in my cichlid aquariums for some time
now, but this is the first time I've observed this particular kind of
behavour.
This morning two of my boesemani rainbows have been swimming parallel and
very close together, so much so that their heads are actually touching, and
they're vibrating their bodies. Occasionally my third boesemani joins in
on the action and all three are go swimming around with their heads
together, vibrating. Even one of my red rainbows has become curious and
seems to try to form-up, but is quickly chased away. When the boesemani
finally separate one of them usually briefly chases after the other.
I've recently added a fair amount of java moss to the aquarium. I'm
wondering if this is rainbow mating behaviour, or if it is just some kind
of dominance display I haven't witnessed before in rainbows. My cichlids
will often vibrate to intimidate each other, but there doesn't seem to be
much antagonism going on in this parallel synchronized rainbow swimming.
The typical rainbow aggression I've witnessed in the past is usually
limited to half-hearted chasing.
now, but this is the first time I've observed this particular kind of
behavour.
This morning two of my boesemani rainbows have been swimming parallel and
very close together, so much so that their heads are actually touching, and
they're vibrating their bodies. Occasionally my third boesemani joins in
on the action and all three are go swimming around with their heads
together, vibrating. Even one of my red rainbows has become curious and
seems to try to form-up, but is quickly chased away. When the boesemani
finally separate one of them usually briefly chases after the other.
I've recently added a fair amount of java moss to the aquarium. I'm
wondering if this is rainbow mating behaviour, or if it is just some kind
of dominance display I haven't witnessed before in rainbows. My cichlids
will often vibrate to intimidate each other, but there doesn't seem to be
much antagonism going on in this parallel synchronized rainbow swimming.
The typical rainbow aggression I've witnessed in the past is usually
limited to half-hearted chasing.