SAE weirdness

[Bill Stock]

I've got one SAE that's doing the odd quarter rotation while swimming. Seems
to be trying to scrape it's side against the gravel. Another SAE also seems
to be chasing this same fish. I'm hoping it's some sort of spawning. If so,
what can I do to help make/save babies?

TIA.

[Liisa Sarakontu]

"Bill Stock" > wrote in
:

> I've got one SAE that's doing the odd quarter rotation while swimming.
> Seems to be trying to scrape it's side against the gravel. Another SAE
> also seems to be chasing this same fish. I'm hoping it's some sort of
> spawning. If so, what can I do to help make/save babies?

That's not spawning, but the fish itches and tried to scrape its sides or
gills. Most common cause for this is low qiality water (too high nitrite or
nitrate level), and second common cause are parasites.

Liisa

[Bill Stock]

"Liisa Sarakontu" > wrote in message
6...
> "Bill Stock" > wrote in
> :
>
>> I've got one SAE that's doing the odd quarter rotation while swimming.
>> Seems to be trying to scrape it's side against the gravel. Another SAE
>> also seems to be chasing this same fish. I'm hoping it's some sort of
>> spawning. If so, what can I do to help make/save babies?
>
> That's not spawning, but the fish itches and tried to scrape its sides or
> gills. Most common cause for this is low qiality water (too high nitrite
> or
> nitrate level), and second common cause are parasites.
>
> Liisa

I suppose it could be parasites, but it doesn't happen very often. Plus two
of them do seem to be interacting a lot, touching noses, etc.