Cichlids Acting Weird

[phoenixfire]

alright...my fish are doing this very weird thing...they very quickly rub themselves against the sand, rocks, and glass...i know this has to do with an external parasite...but i cant see anything on them!...i spent like 15 minutes staring and i dont see anything...what the heck could this be?...they only do it once in a while...and after i feed them they stop...until much later on
Signs of parasite infestation

The larger parasites such as leeches, lice and anchor worms are visible with the naked eye. Typical signs of parasite infestations are rubbing, 'flashing' [there is a flash of silver from the underside of the fish it turns its body to rub against something], focal redness and inflammation on the body - often at the base of the dorsal fin, flared operculum, respiratory difficulties, lethargy and bacterial ulcers. However, it is important to realise that these 'symptoms' are not exclusive to parasites and may be caused by poor water quality or other diseases. FROM: http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/parasites.htm

they dont appear to have any of those signs of external parasites...except the flashing...should i get parasite medicine anyways?...

its just weird cause they stop when fed...and start up later....all fish are swimming, breathing, and looking like normal healthy fish...i would provide pictures but what is there to show lol...

please help...i just got these guys i dont wanna loose them

WATER STATS

ammonia: okay
ph:7.5
nitrate and nitritekay

i just did all these tests and everythings normal

lol maybe they just like the feeling?

 

[Soaup]

Sounds like they are trying to breed. Doing their shimmy to get some action..

 

[phoenixfire]

really? but i dont think i have any set pairs in there...lol thats really what they do is rub there selfs on stuff?...come to think of it...the two fish that are doing it have dug holes in the sand and rub themselves basically around that area...could it just be the female wanting to breed...cause i dont think i have any males at all in my tank...havent had the money to get them yet...very interesting

 

[Soaup]

You buy your fish by sex?? Usually i get them as juvies and just wait to see how the grow out.. Yeah so anyways.. I believe that it is the males who dig the holes although the females could also.. Then i think the males do their thing to lure the female to lay the eggs in the holes dug.. Then he fertilizes them and she proceeds to scoop them up.. I dont think your fish are sick or have a parasite.. What kind of fish do you have.. What size tank are they in? If i cant help you im sure someone on here can.

 

[phoenixfire]

lol no it just so happened that way that there all females...

in a 29 for now until i get a 60

3 Maylandia callainos
2 melanchromis auratus
and 2 Pseudotropheus saulosi

i know the whole scooping up part...lol i just didnt realize thats how they attracted them...when they throw themesleves against the sand...they make a big swoosh of sand go flying up...and yeah its the females doing this

 

[Ferris]

This is probably just normal Mbuna behaviour, known as "flashing", it is the Mbuna way of saying this is my territory. If you can't see any physical signs of parasites, velvet or slime, then don't worry.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Are you positive you have no males? My Fuelleborni were doing this last week and having much fun in the process. One of the females is now carrying fry. The males will shimmy to the girls to get their attention and try to entice them to spawn. It's perfectly natural behaviour. Picking up sand and spitting it is also normal. Which why they should never have a gravel substrate. Doesn't take much for a piece to get lodged in the their throats and kill them.
Keep your eyes open for dropped jaws (The lower part of the malawi jaw on a female will drop almost like a pelicans) and watch for any darkening in the jaw area. Another sign is if any stop eating and keep their mouths shut almost permanently. They may become more aggressive during brooding too. But that varies according to individual personality.
Hugs,
P.

 

[phoenixfire]

thanks guys...ive only had cichlids for about a month...but iv been hitting the books big time...i will look at for there jaws and eggies...but how old do they have to be to reproduce...mine are about an inch and a half...still juvies...the largest my fishies get if my research is correct will be 6 inches...and the smallest 4...anybody have any idea?

 

[phoenixfire]

lol anyone?

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

They do sound a little small for breeding but, well somehow I never discount it.
Hugs,
P.

 

[*Lucifer*]

my pirahans have been doing this for a while now, its like a quick swooshing motion, they r still eating and behaving normally apart from that but they do the flashing thing and show off their lovely red bellies??? .....

 

[woodjm79]

lol anyone?

im a newbe on here but i have had african chiclids for about 5 years! and one some one said that the males dig holes! wrong...

the females lay their eggs on a smooth place a rock or in a corner... then the female picks up the eggs in her mouth...

then the female goes over to the male and nips at his bottom fin.. the one with the dots on it.. thats an egg mark... the male then milts in her mouth and the eggs are fertile... she keeps them in her mouth till they are big enough to go off on their own!

what they are doing is a dance of sorts to get some loving.. the males flash and get the female all excited...

it does not matter how big or small your tanks is... chances are if they are happy they will make some loving!

 

[fishtank]

thanks guys...ive only had cichlids for about a month...but iv been hitting the books big time...i will look at for there jaws and eggies...but how old do they have to be to reproduce...mine are about an inch and a half...still juvies...the largest my fishies get if my research is correct will be 6 inches...and the smallest 4...anybody have any idea?

this is usually a sign of breeding but as they are still juviniles i would say its a sign of aggression

 

[Soaup]

Ive seen my males digging through the gravel until reaching the bottom and getting some smooth glass in which the female goes over lays her eggs and then proceeds to fertilize them...

lol anyone?

im a newbe on here but i have had african chiclids for about 5 years! and one some one said that the males dig holes! wrong...

the females lay their eggs on a smooth place a rock or in a corner... then the female picks up the eggs in her mouth...

then the female goes over to the male and nips at his bottom fin.. the one with the dots on it.. thats an egg mark... the male then milts in her mouth and the eggs are fertile... she keeps them in her mouth till they are big enough to go off on their own!

what they are doing is a dance of sorts to get some loving.. the males flash and get the female all excited...

it does not matter how big or small your tanks is... chances are if they are happy they will make some loving!

 

[phoenixfire]

thanks guys for your help...i really appreciate it