Strange behaviour?

[Tom2100]

Hi

I have had a pair of Taeniatus Dehane for approx. 2 months now. I have been gradually lowering the water softness over this time. It now stands at kh 40 and GH 120.

Water quality is excellent with just trace nitrate. Temp. steady at 27C.

Both male and female have been eating any food I put in the tank, and this includes frozen (gamma irradiated) brine shrimp and bloodworm, and also tetra prima.

However, for the past 48 hours the female has been acting very strange. Her colour has intensified and she is staying close to the tank floor moving from cave to cave. When the male approaches she tries to usher him to a cave, flashing her body and arching. She also blows water at the tank floor (very thin layer of sand and gravel.

Now this seems like courtship to me apart from this blowing from her mouth and she also is not eating any food although does seem a little interested. She blows at the food also.

She looks very healthy and I haven't kept taeniatus before so is this behaviour normal? Could she even have some eggs on the go? Its just she doesn't stay in one place like kribs I have bred in the past?

Many thanks for any thoughts.

Tom

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis taeniatus courtship behavior

Hello Tom,

From what you write, it seems to me that you're doing an excellent job with your Pelvicachromis taeniatus. Apparently, your softening the water and offering a varied diet is to their liking.

Like you write, the female's bizarre behavior sounds like part of a courtship ritual. I'd continue to offer her food; when she gets hungry enough, she'll eat it.

As for the blowing, that's a new one on me. Pelvicachromis species excavate prior to spawning. It seems to be an integral part of their courtship ritual and serves to strengthen pair bonds. Is there enough of a substrate layer in the tank to enable your fish to dig; or, in your case, at which your female can blow? If not, you might place some additional sand/gravel in front of each cave, partially blocking the entrances. The fish will select a cave, dig it out, and get on with things.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Tom2100]

Hi Randall.

Thank you for your quick reply. I'm gald to hear I'm doing things right.

However, I have kept and bred a number of dwarf cichlids over the years but this behaviour has me stumped.

The gravel is fine (approx. 2-4mm in diameter) and mixed in parts with some sand. Its enough to move around but not to dig deep as such. Maybe a couple of cm at its deepest.

I hope you are right about the feeding/blowing behaviour as I've tried with both bloodworm and brine shrimp today. Just now the female approached the brineshrimp and tried to take it into her mouth but this blowing action just propelled the food away. She tried this a few times and then swam off. The male is fine, eating his fill and then resting. If it wasn't for this not wanting/or beind able to eat I would put the character change down to potential courtship. I will just have to keep an eye on her. My only other option is that she has something caught in her mouth causing this blowing type behaviour or she has a problem with her gills. However, when not blowing her gill movements appear regular and relaxed. Something I have not witnessed before. I hope it is nothing serious.

Regards

Tom

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis taeniatus blowing water

Hello Tom,

Like I wrote, this blowing behavior is a new one on me. I hope that nothing is wrong with your fish. If your female doesn't resume eating, however, this is serious. If you think there might be some kind of an obstruction that prevents your fish from eating, you may need to get a closer look, if the problem doesn't clear up on its own. This is really a judgement call and is up to you, but you may need to net your fish, place it on a soft and wet towel, carefully open its mouth with a blunt instrument, and look inside. I know that this sounds extreme, and I would loath to do it myself. If the situation doesn't improve, however, it may be worth considering.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Tom2100]

Hi Randall,

I thought I would let you know that the drastic action you suggested (and I was beginning to consider) does not appear to be needed....thank goodness.

The female is getting back to her old ways and has been eating more today.

This behaviour has really is something I (like yourself) have not seen before. The pair is young and my only guess is maybe they spawned and the eggs got eaten and this female behaviour was the stress aftermath?

As they continue to grow I will monitor their courtship behaviour and should I see evidence of a future spawn I will observe to see if this female behaviour returns. I hope I can get this pair to breed and will let you know.

Kind regards

Tom

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis taeniatus

I thought I would let you know that the drastic action you suggested (and I was beginning to consider) does not appear to be needed....thank goodness.

Fantastic, Tom! Good luck with your fish!

All the best,

Randall Kohn