What are my S. Petricola doing?

[philipraposo1982]

behaviors that I have noticed with my young group of 10 petricola and wondering if I should be concerned.

First behavior: I see them surfing on the glass often, but the odd time one of the will do this kinda of side roll flick almost like a flashing but not exactly like how a normal fish would flash. Doing it one after another for a short period then stopping. I only notice it randomly and on the side of the tank walls.

Second behavior: one of the petricola like to surf on the side of my green terrors body as he passes by the petricola. then the catfish goes back to the glass. the GT doesn't seem to mind at all.

Any idea whats going on? Do i need to worry about any of this?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Swimming on a side of another much larger fish is what my adult synos (eupterus, hybrid) do too and I think it is the norm.

Flashing, however, I'd think is never a norm. But if your water parameters are pristine and the petricolas have a good appetite, I'd not worry and just diligently keep observing to see if it intensifies, develops into other symptoms, subsides, or disappears.

I have seen what you describe too but it was my water - either too soft or ammonia-laced or the pH not stable (poor buffering, too soft).

It could be their skin is itchy because of parasites, which their immune system will suppress on its own, again, given total lack of stress and good diet.

It could be them playing with each other, I imagine too. If you wanted more info on syno behavior intricacies and nuances, I'd suggest asking on Planet Catfish.