Green Severum shaking and biting

[neutrino]

Would like a longer video to see more of the shaking behavior, I think I see a head shake... Looks like a female and shaking its head, cleaning a rock, staying near and focusing on a rock, as in the video, are common spawning behaviors... and she looks chubby in the area where eggs develop.

 

[BHamilton]

He hasn't had a tank mate in 4 years. After the male or female (i'm not sure what sex it is) died I just kept it by itself and decided not to add more as he charges the glass when you get near, so I thought maybe he was just aggressive and didnt want to deal with fighting although he spawned a few times a few years ago before the other one passed. So im not sure how it would have gotten a parasite unless it came through the water which I dont know if that could happen

If you use tap or well water there is always potential for parasites to get in. Keep an eye out for white on the edges of the fins or mouth if that starts to show i'd look in to treating for parasites.

 

[squigster]

If you use tap or well water there is always potential for parasites to get in. Keep an eye out for white on the edges of the fins or mouth if that starts to show i'd look in to treating for parasites.

If it would have Parasites which I will keep an eye out for, can I treat it in the tak its in since therres no other fish? Also, any suggestion on meds?

 

[BHamilton]

If it would have Parasites which I will keep an eye out for, can I treat it in the tak its in since therres no other fish? Also, any suggestion on meds?

Because it is a solo tank yes you can just directly treat the tank. but like the other person said possible spawn behavior just dont see how its possible as a lonewolf for the past 4 years.
As for medicine, API makes many medicines that are specific or general which i recommend as that is what i have always used with success.

 

[squigster]

Would like a longer video to see more of the shaking behavior, I think I see a head shake... Looks like a female and shaking its head, cleaning a rock, staying near and focusing on a rock, as in the video, are common spawning behaviors... and she looks chubby in the area where eggs develop.

Ok, so can a Severum have babies and not have a mate?? Just asking out of my own lack of knowledge. Or nature just making it think its pregnant?

 

[tlindsey]

Ok, so can a Severum have babies and not have a mate?? Just asking out of my own lack of knowledge. Or nature just making it think its pregnant?

It's rare but yes a female Cichlid can lay infertile eggs.

 

[squigster]

Wow thats amazing. Ill keep checking the rock it keeps cleaning also. Thank you all for the replies! Ill post an update if anything changes. Appreciate the responses!

 

[neutrino]

Females often internally reabsorb the eggs without laying them, but they can also go ahead and lay infertile eggs with no male present. This is true of multiple cichlid types, not just Heros species.

I don't have a thorough knowledge of the subject but from the modicum of reading I've done on it, I get the impression the hormonal, biochemical, and environmental reasons for one vs the other (laying vs internally absorbing eggs) aren't completely known and are still being studied.

 

[squigster]

Females often internally reabsorb the eggs without laying them, but they can also go ahead and lay infertile eggs with no male present. This is true of multiple cichlid types, not just Heros species.

I don't have a thorough knowledge of the subject but from the modicum of reading I've done on it, I get the impression the hormonal, biochemical, and environmental reasons for one vs the other (laying vs internally absorbing eggs) aren't completely known and are still being studied.

I'm amazed!. She spawned!

 

[neutrino]

Yes, that's what the behavior was indicating. Those so called "parasites" were eggs.

Now that you've seen the behavior-- some other species will do the head shaking, including angelfish, and even more species do rock cleaning, or the pair-- or one or the other in the pair-- hangs near or seems fixated on a rock, etc. In a lot of SA species you might see what looks like "fighting" between the pair, including tail slapping or lip locking-- After the first couple of spawns or so a Heros pair may skip such "courting" and get right to rock cleaning ime.

When you see that (and you have a pair and want a spawn) it's a good time to do a big water change, feed a treat like shrimp, blood worms, etc (I do freeze dried).