Loaches Online Forum

I have had Homaloptera smithi off and on for many years and have never seen behavior like I saw this evening. Usually these fish are so laid back and never exhibit any aggressive behavior at all.
Tonight, I saw a small smithi standing up against the alpha male cheni. The smithi was holding its own,shoving against the larger chenis head with its snout while both where "leaf surfing". Very strange site.
Then, just as soon as it started, it ended.

Sounds like smithi pms...

I think its a male.

Gender confusion?

Sounds like a stupid teenager, does not know his place....

No evil Smithi's here, Jim. Very strange!

My other two (in another tank) and the several I have had before, have never been anything but mellow. This guy is usually mellow, but maybe he finally had enough. This cheni pushes around the female cheni, and the two gastros (ocellatus and scitulus) in addition to the smithi.