I have a pair of Livingstonnii's about 5 inches long, they obviously have a long way to go until they are adults but lately I've noticed the female and now the male are resting on the gravel from time to time. They seem fine other than this, they eat and swim and are active. I've heard that wild Livingstonni feign death to capture prey and I was wondering if maybe they might be doing the same type of behavior in my tank that they would do if they were in the wild?
Do N. Livingstonnii's rest on the bottom?
- Thread starter scott g
- Start date
When do they do this? When the tank lights go off? I never noticed my stoni's doing this while they were healthy. They will "feign" in the aquarium sometimes but this is typically laying on their side at least a little bit trying to resemble a dead fish.
Only time I ever noticed any of my fish "laying at the bottom" in an upright position but completely inactive was when they were either "asleep" and in hiding or very very ill (bloat kinda ill).
Only time I ever noticed any of my fish "laying at the bottom" in an upright position but completely inactive was when they were either "asleep" and in hiding or very very ill (bloat kinda ill).
I would like to suggest youm monitor the fish closely when you feed them. The thing to me that is strange is that they are both doing it! If there was a problem it should be with one fish initially!
Check to see if they are both eating well. Do they take in food and then spit it out? Can you see if there are any other fish that are maybe continuously disturbing these fsh?
Stress, from numerous sources, is more than likely the greatest killer of fish. This can come from a fish being diseased, from being chased by another fish, poor water conditions ans many more reasons. These three are, I believe, the most common causes.
Check to see if they are both eating well. Do they take in food and then spit it out? Can you see if there are any other fish that are maybe continuously disturbing these fsh?
Stress, from numerous sources, is more than likely the greatest killer of fish. This can come from a fish being diseased, from being chased by another fish, poor water conditions ans many more reasons. These three are, I believe, the most common causes.
Nimbochromis livingstonii and N. venustus are known to lie motionless on their sides on aquarium substrate.
In the wild, this is to fool smaller fish into thinking the N. is dead to tempt them to approach and nibble on it. Once they get close enough, the N. will pop up and seize them.
This behavior in your livingstonii's is perfectly normal and should not be a cause for alarm.
In the wild, this is to fool smaller fish into thinking the N. is dead to tempt them to approach and nibble on it. Once they get close enough, the N. will pop up and seize them.
This behavior in your livingstonii's is perfectly normal and should not be a cause for alarm.
Here, ther fish are not displaying the feigning behavior. They are at the bottom of the tank but upright, not in wait of prey.
I have 7 inch female and she kind of rests on the bottom like you describe. I call her my lazy fish. I don't think it's anything to worry about as long as yours are eating well and the water parameters are good.
I would definately watch them. My livingstoni started to do the same thing as yours and died 2 weeks later. My other one died a week after the other. I tried to treat them both for bloat, but it didnt work. They were the only Two fish that died. I hope that yours are ok. I would just watch them for a while. good luck.