Cichlids behavior

[Kenneth iacuessa]

I have 2 peacock cichlids both being males. They do the strangest things I’ve never seen before. They circle each other constantly on the ground and vibrate n shake while the bottom fins are touching the gravel. No aggression except to other fish near them. But both are mails?? I’ve seen similar behavior with breeding fish but not 2 males. They repeat this pattern throughout the day every day over n over religiously. Anyone know anything about this behavior ?

 

[Fish4evr]

I’ve had this happen with two oscars I used to own. I believe both were male and that it was done as some kind of competition as to which is the best male.

 

[Kenneth iacuessa]

It’s strange I know they do it on the daily. The only 2 that do it in the tank out of like 50 fish lol. Anyway it looked like something they would do to impress a female but without the aggression

 

[deeda]

Are they Lake Malawi peacock cichlids? If so the behavior is normal and just the fish staking out territories.

Can you provide more details on the tank dimensions and other tank mates?

 

[Kenneth iacuessa]

I do have a couple females in the tank so that’s a good point.

 

[tlindsey]

I have 2 peacock cichlids both being males. They do the strangest things I’ve never seen before. They circle each other constantly on the ground and vibrate n shake while the bottom fins are touching the gravel. No aggression except to other fish near them. But both are mails?? I’ve seen similar behavior with breeding fish but not 2 males. They repeat this pattern throughout the day every day over n over religiously. Anyone know anything about this behavior ?

Welcome aboard
Competeing for territorial rights.

 

[Kenneth iacuessa]

150 gallon and those are most of the fish you can see but there are others

 

[twentyleagues]

I have 2 peacock cichlids both being males. They do the strangest things I’ve never seen before. They circle each other constantly on the ground and vibrate n shake while the bottom fins are touching the gravel. No aggression except to other fish near them. But both are mails?? I’ve seen similar behavior with breeding fish but not 2 males. They repeat this pattern throughout the day every day over n over religiously. Anyone know anything about this behavior ?

Welcome!
Maybe they enjoy an alternative life style?
Honestly males compete in many ways and "dancing" or showing off against each other for the females is actually almost as common as aggression is. Typically when they pair up that's when it turns more aggressive. But males can just be aggressive also.

 

[Kenneth iacuessa]

Are they Lake Malawi peacock cichlids? If so the behavior is normal and just the fish staking out territories.

Can you provide more details on the tank dimensions and other tank mates?

Yes they are

Welcome!
Maybe they enjoy an alternative life style?
Honestly males compete in many ways and "dancing" or showing off against each other for the females is actually almost as common as aggression is. Typically when they pair up that's when it turns more aggressive. But males can just be aggressive also.

makes sense

 

[Kenneth iacuessa]

Yes they are

makes sense

And thanks, so far I’m liking this site