Cichlids fighting - or kissing?

[FishNewbie82912]

I have a yellow lab and a peacock that make their bodies’ curve when they get near each other then they like kiss or go at each other. It’s pretty intense. What’s happening? Will they be okay?

 

[Colin_T]

need a video of fish to confirm but probably fighting over territory.

 

[Anonymous Fox]

proby fighting, cichlids can get agressive, but if there male and female i could be a mating thing

 

[kribensis12]

Likely fighting - what size is the aquarium and how is it decorated?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Fish don't kiss....not even the "kissing" gourami...

 

[Essjay]

It's called lip locking and is a test of the strength of the fish involved.

 

[Slaphppy7]

It's called lip locking and is a test of the strength of the fish involved.

Males only?
I've never been interested in keeping them, so haven't researched.

 

[Essjay]

Males and females do lip lock as well. It's supposed to mean they are testing to see if the other is a strong healthy fish suitable as breeding partner. But I have no idea which species do this, and which don't.
But it's mainly males deciding which one is "top fish"

 

[Colin_T]

A lot of cichlids lip lock, even discus and angelfish do it. Basically they go mouth to mouth and push each other around. If both partners are similar in strength they might become a pair. If one fish is noticeably weaker than the other, they don't normally become a pair.

When 2 male fish lip lock, it is part of the territorial display. They start out by flaring fins and circling each other. This is a bit like a couple of guys circling and eyeing each other off before they get into a punch up. If the fish are similar in size and neither wants to back down after showing off their fins, they get into it and grab each other by the mouth and push each other around. This will continue until one fish submits and swims away.

 

[itiwhetu]

If they are not the same species, it won't be kissing. Make sure they have plenty of protection and defined territories.

 

[FishNewbie82912]

They were not the same. One was a peacock. One a yellow lab something. They are fine now. Happened a couple times but now they can get close to each other and it’s cool. I have a 75 gal. Mostly peacocks. 2 yellow labs. And then 4 rainbows. One peacock seems to run the tank. I guess that’s to be expected. He’s the biggest and brightest of them all.