Jasmine Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 I've noticed a few of my malawis do it, seems mainly the Melanochromis tho (I think only them actually). But they'll do almost like a barrel roll at the bottom of the tank, like swimming on their side for about half a second. I don't think it's an illness, it seems quite purposeful, and they don't do often, but I do see 'em every now and again. What are they doing and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malawi_man Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 my fish do it sometimes too, I think they are scraping algea off rocks or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 my fryeri & yellow labs do that too, i think its either trying to show off or something similar. I have only noticed my males doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 My Johanni male does this and I have noticed he only does it when he is trying to entice a female into his pit for spawning.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakyfish Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 I have also noticed fish doin this alot when the Nitrates are getting higher Also noticed that it settles down after a water change Test your water when you see them doing it and see if that shows up anything Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bOi Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 they just have an itch.. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasmine Posted May 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I have also noticed fish doin this alot when the Nitrates are getting higher Also noticed that it settles down after a water change Test your water when you see them doing it and see if that shows up anything Brad Hehe. Don't think it's that. They were doing it after my water change too, not too long ago. I try and change 20% every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 All three of my Female Albino Kribensis do it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakyfish Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 It is a very good possibilty its from Nitrates Check your water and let me know what the readings are I have tanks where they get a weekly water change and they still show high Nitrates Nitrate build ups arent always from lack of water changes Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Yeap as above as Brad said can be a strong possibility. However in my case with the Johanni male it has been a breeding dominance behaviour. He is the only one to do it and it has been always when he has been busy pit digging and in breeding mode. But that is my case and may not possibly be the case with other peoples fish... definately never hurts to test your water, better to be safe than sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 i had a post about it a while ago. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/kribensis-scratching-themselves-on-gravel-vt20367.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob the builder Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 yep nitrates (I should know mine are off the chart ) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasmine Posted May 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Will do the test, now that I think of it, I think it's only been my male Melanochromis'. They don't seem to touch the gravel sand when they do it tho. They swim up and down on their side in like a wave like motion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 yep nitrates (I should know mine are off the chart ) . now that, in a democratic society, we have decided its nitrates that the reason behind it, what are they actually doing? I have seen mine do it very close up as they are in a tank right behind the couch so i sit literally am a few inches away. when i seen it happen they dont seem to actually scrape their bodies on the substrate. their fin gets close but not totally sure it actually touches the substrate either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasmine Posted May 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 now that, in a democratic society, we have decided its nitrates that the reason behind it, what are they actually doing? I have seen mine do it very close up as they are in a tank right behind the couch so i sit literally am a few inches away. when i seen it happen they dont seem to actually scrape their bodies on the substrate. their fin gets close but not totally sure it actually touches the substrate either. That's what mine do, they don't touch the gravel sand, just go on their side and swiftly go in a wave like motion almost up and down for a split second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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