Is This Courtship Behaviour Or A Show Of Dominance?

[ZoddyZod]

I quite frequently find two of my harlequins doing a little side by side dance. All fins are flared and occassionaly one fish will be at a 45 degree angle to the other. What is this little display intended for?

 

[dayzofspeed]

not sure of the answer, i suspect its a dominance thing, i have seen this exact behaviour in my lemon tetras and my head and tail tetras, its fascinating to watch. but i have never seen this "dance" in my harlequins

 

[marcandnic]

Mine often do this in the mid water level. Mine are usually male and female so i guess its a courtship showoff.

 

[Skins]

I often see my tiger barbs doing this routine, great to watch.

Keith.

 

[ZoddyZod]

agree with you all that it's very interesting to watch. Sometimes goes on for several minutes.

Anyone else have any clues as to what this is for?

 

[lljdma06]

I quite frequently find two of my harlequins doing a little side by side dance. All fins are flared and occassionaly one fish will be at a 45 degree angle to the other. What is this little display intended for?

From what I understand, male & femal Harlequins don't have the same shape to their Lampchops (Black area). Males have a more pork chop shape, while females are more like a triangle, and the male is thinner. Whether it's dominance or courtship depends on who's doing the dancing and I can't tell the sex of the second fish. Do you see the pair going off to the leaves when they are done dancing. Harlequins spawn underneath leaves. I've also seen male Harlequins spar that way for dominance.

llj

 

[ZoddyZod]

From what I understand, male & femal Harlequins don't have the same shape to their Lampchops (Black area). Males have a more pork chop shape, while females are more like a triangle, and the male is thinner. Whether it's dominance or courtship depends on who's doing the dancing and I can't tell the sex of the second fish. Do you see the pair going off to the leaves when they are done dancing. Harlequins spawn underneath leaves. I've also seen male Harlequins spar that way for dominance.

llj

I've not noticed them going for a 'quickie' in the bushes, this display is noramlly at the front of the tank and they disperse before either head for any plant coverage. I'll try and get a closer look at the black areae shapes next time I see it. Thanks for the tip.