Loaches Online Forum

Just happened to look into the tank just now and caught two of the larger kabotai in a knock down drag out fight. Both fish had lost all color and were just grey. They circled each other - head to tail - as fast as they could go. At the same time they were drifting all around the tank but mainly stayed in the center. Every now and then one fish would get the advantage and end up on top of the other's head at which point he would nip at the head. All the while maintaining the grey coloration.

It apparently started in the cave complex as all the clowns and other kabotai were outside of the complex acting very disturbed.

Not unusual. Two of mine were doing it yesterday for ages. It really spooks out the other fish too.
Here they are at it two years ago



Martin.

I found that my histrionicas could be drawn into such battles among kubotais - but with striatas, darios, yoyos and clowns also in the tank, none of them seemed to care. Could be related to markings or gender... But it's common among kubotais.

The picture is a female (left) and male. No idea who was fighting yesterday because I could only see flashes of squirming fish through the undergrowth.

Martin.

My Sidthimunki's were up to to the same behaviour yesterday as well, 4 fish in total but in two separate pairs with one pair at one end of the tank and the other pair at the other end.

3 of the Sids completely lost all colour and I have to admit they looked quite cool, I was going to try and get a picture of the totally silver Sids but my camera battery was on charge .

It's the first time this has happened with mine. You'll see one chasing the other every now and then but nothing like this. I do believe there is a color difference but as far as M/F, I can't tell anything yet. They are constantly out and about in the tank but you can't get up close to them without everyone diving for cover.

Martin Thoene wrote:The picture is a female (left) and male. No idea who was fighting yesterday because I could only see flashes of squirming fish through the undergrowth.

Martin.

how can you tell the difference?

Look at her stomach.

In mature fish of roughly the same age and length, females will appear more fuller-bodied (rounder abdomen).

Emma

I have 7 and have had them for about 5 months now. I havent seen them really fight yet, but I see them chasing each other all the time. They seem to play with the YoYo loaches more then anything. I have a couple that are big like the ones Martin has and there are some that are fat, but not that fat. They eat non-stop

Emma Turner wrote:In mature fish of roughly the same age and length, females will appear more fuller-bodied (rounder abdomen).

Emma

ok than i think i have 3 females in the group...

maybe 4 the rest are certain males than...