Midas/RD & Blackbelt Behavior Issues

[ksfishguy]

I'm still undecided on the sex of these two fish, however, they are rolling around locking lips and rubbing on each other. The BB has taken a few hits as well as the midas, but the BB seems to get the worst of it. Both fish are in the six-seven inch ranch. The midas seems to be "sniffing" the BB and does the circling and rubbing. The BB tends to want to get away and hide more than not. The midas is also starting to develop a hump.

Is this breeding behavior and/or territorial? The midas also digs like crazy. Is the midas acting more male or female in the routine?

I will take some video and post this weekend.

 

[ksfishguy]

Here is another thing the midas does, goes right under the BB and starts to shake...

 

[fishfreak317]

got any pics of these fish? a vid would also help sounds like it could be pairing activity, but also sounds like "possible" dominance changes.

 

[vj2]

i like the set-up

 

[cookiemonster]

I think it's just aggression from the midas. I have had non-breeding fish dig before. The shaking is sometimes a sign of breeding, but usually fish don't start to fight with each other until later in courtship.

 

[ksfishguy]

I think you must be right, I tried to get film of the behavior, but things have calmed down a bit.

Here is a clip of the two:

 

[Amphilophus88]

That looks just like my old Midas and blackbelt. This went on for months and slowly got worse and worse. Then I had to take the blackbelt out bacause it got beaten up all the time. I tried everything when it came to the setup of the tank, but it was useless.

My Midas was male and bb was female by the way, but there was never any signs of breeding just beating up. Looks like yours are male and female as well.

 

[cichlidfish]

What size tank? Sounds like classic Midas aggression and you may have to separate w/ a divider or another tank. The BB may not stand a chance or even fight back. Even if they do breed it you might have to separate.


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[Modest_Man]

Six years old...

 

[Amphilophus88]

Six years old...

Oh yea I see, my bad. Most have forgotten that I was using the search function.