What are my Clown Loach doing?

[Cenobite]

I noticed that my Clown Loach were acting a bit strange this morning, they both had thier fins up and really stiff and they were circling each other. Every now and then they would dart at each other and have a sort of 'duel' with their mouths until one retreated.

Are they fighting, flirting or just playing

 

[impur]

How long have you had them? How big are they?

Sounds like they could be establishing dominance. Do their colors fade when this happens? I have 3 clown loaches and they fought in the beginning a lot. Finally one established that he is top loach and now he protects the other 2. Very interesting to watch. Did you know that these fish have barbs under their eyes that they can extend when fighting and/or threatened? They make a clicking noise when the fish put them out and in.

 

[Cenobite]

Thanks impur

I've had them about 3 months now and 'Clive' is Definitely alot darker than 'Barker' (and always has been). It is really cool to watch, but my Goby tried to interfere (what a mistake!), he got chased round the tank for about 10 minutes

I always wondered what that noise was, thanks alot

 

[impur]

No prob. My largest clown has been fighting with my syno cat lately. From the looks of it, the clown is winning!! Those barbs are dangerous!!

 

[Loach Man]

That clicking noise it funny it was weird when I first heard it