apisto trifasciata fry wierd behavior

[Christine-FishGrrl]

My pair of trifasciatas ('Red') spawned for the first time in early June. Between a power outage, high temperatures and first-time spawn in a community tank, I was very happy thinking that one of the fry had survived. Imagine my surprise seeing two of the fry swimming together last night! The reason I'm posting is that I noticed that the two fry started the flashy-flashy dance at each other, just like their parents do to each other during spawning time. One looks like it could be a male, it's turning yellowish with the black stripe (like the father, not the yellow/black that the mom gets) and acts like the dad during flashy-flashy dance. The other fry is smaller and mottled brown and has the lower position during the dance. However, these guys are soooo little! They are only a centimeter to a half-inch long (total length)! Is this normal? Is this dance just territoriality or a prelude to the breeding dance? I would think they are way too young to breed but they stuck together like glue instead of one running away. Also, this took place in a corner of the tank next to a terracotta pot cave and piece of driftwood.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mike Wise]

What you see is normal for juvenile apistos. It is similar to the "rough house" play seen by lion & wolf cubs. It is used to test their strength & compare it with other juveniles their own size. They are practicing for the time when they will try to establish their own territory.