Fighting Clown Loaches

[mjime714]

I have 4 Clown Loaches at about 4"± each. They school most of the time, but sometimes 2 of them break off and just swim side by side, bumping eachother, locking jaws all the while seaching for food at the bottom of the tank. They are literally rubbing bodies when they swim. When they do this, the get a little pale. Once the two split up, their colors come back until they pair up and fight again. When its all 4 of them in a group, they dont fight and their coloration is great.

Anyone seen this or know if this is typical of Clown Loaches?

Thanks,

MJ

 

[FishHeadSoup]

wow they actually "lock jaws"....ummm???

 

[mjime714]

wow they actually "lock jaws"....ummm???

Yeah.. its weird.. one actually gets sideways to do it.

 

[ridether]

Pictures..I have never seen that before.

 

[gomezladdams]

Im not sure if this is why but I always see that they be kept in an odd number group to minimze fighting.5 is the # I see most often

 

[qumqats]

The lip-locking is them fighting to see who's top dog.

Clown Loach fighting videos -

http://www.loaches.com/audio_video/fightingclowns.html
http://www.loaches.com/audio_video/fightingclowns2.html

"There can be only one!" Alpha clown loach that is

 

[ewurm]

Mine did this a couple times, but now they shoal together without problems.

 

[mjime714]

thats exactly it!! Sweet vids.. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Honda12]

My two biggest ones will do it from time to time.