severum behavior

[ben&debbie]

These two have been going at this on and off since yesterday. Not sure if they are fighting or if the lip locking is courtship, Pretty sure the gold is female (there were eggs last year that she seemed to be guarding), unsure about rotkeil though it is smaller. there are other severums in the tank and other cichlids. Rotkeils upper lip is looking a little chewed up today

 

[scubasteve06]

I know first hand sevs have a strong jaw mine hasn't taken chunks but I can feel the strength and it can't be good if they are lip locking. From the first two pics the gold looks like he is in the dominant posistion and they are fighting over territory...or another female that might be in the tank it should sort it self out sevs aren't going to kill each other but it makes you uptight seeing your fish lip-locking constantly for a cpl days in a row...

 

[DISCIPLE]

mine did that for a few days then spawned. eggs were everywhere.

 

[BlueKiller82]

Definitely looks like they are spawning, circling over the slate is a good sign.

 

[Taz2478]

yep, most likely a spawn soon. they do that as courting. never seen it turn bad.