Hoplo catfish going nuts.

[electroshadow]

I've had a group of 3 hoplo cats for around a year and a half in my cichlid tank with no problems. Apart from today the smaller male seems to be going nuts swimming in circles on the sand constantly. I have noticed that half of one of his larger barbels has turned white.... Could he be trying to knock it off?

All other fish in the tank are acting normal including the other hoplos.

Any ideas

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[MonsterMinis]

test your water?

 

[electroshadow]

Ammonia 0.07
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 20ppm which I thought was ok.

I'm not sure if its a mating this as both males are acting weird in opposite corners of the tank but the female is acting normal now.

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[Rokuzachi]

I have 7 hoplos varying from 3-6" and occasionally they will do something similar. The fish turns in very tight circles and arcs and almost looks like its writhing. In my case this is usually followed by them darting to the surface, taking in air and then releasing waste. Wierd I know, but this is the closest thing I can think of to what you described.

When my single male tried to prepare a nest a while back he spent time on the floor shuffling around leaves and other debris to take to the nest but he wasn't doing circles.

Sorry I can't offer any more insight.

 

[electroshadow]

That's is what they are doing down to a T. As they are still alive I will assume it is normal...

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[electroshadow]

Water parameters are fine but my two male hoplos seem to be developing hole it the head

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[electroshadow]

All ailments have cleared up although my largest male 5" hoplo is actively swimming around like a shark chasing everything from Congo tetras to 8" severums

I can not find a thing on the net about aggressive marbled hoplos....

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