Flowerhorn Stressed?

[Melzie1988]

I have a female Golden Base. Recently we added a male to her tank while there has been no outward aggression on his side but she has changed her coloring. She now has black strips covering her body. I'm not sure if this is because she is stressed or because she is a Golden Base. She has also been pushing sand around their tank and shaking her tail in the sand. She has nipped at him a little bit but not caused any damage.

 

[maxstillen]

Sounds to me like she's getting ready to spawn. The stripes, the digging, and shaking head usually is a sign of shes preparing to lay her eggs.

 

[Melzie1988]

Over 12 hours later still no eggs. I wonder if she will lay them today.

 

[ny.subway]

Put a clay pot or flat stone.