What Are My Clown Loaches Doing?

[sheree]

I have 2 x 4" clown loaches but tonight (first time since i bought them in june) that they seem to be nosing each other almost like kissing with the noses but harder. I've never seen them do this before..are they fighting, making terrories, mating or just putting on a show for us

 

[donna123]

hi,
they are prob just seeing whos boss, mine do it esp round food, also they seem to be better in groups since i added my 3rd its been better. donna

 

[mikev]

Defining who is the leader.

This usually happens with new tanks, when new clowns are added, or when the relative strength changes and they need to reshuffle the hierarchy.

A nice way of settling the issues with no one getting hurt.

 

[krishanu]

it isnt something specific to clown loaches, as i have found all loaches tend to conform to a hierarchial order which changes from time to time.