Key Hole Behavior

[Whitester]

I did a 50% water change 3 hours before I purchased 2 key hole's yesterday morn. Feed them today, ate well. I noticed today the two key holes swim up and down the glass quite often. Each one taking turns who goes up the glass first. Then the will intertwine and dance up the glass again. There black colors are well defined. They are probably only going up the glass about 8 inches or so. Then swimming back down, only to go back up shortly if not immeadately. Any cause for concern?

Also, both are the same size and lived in the same tank with 4 other keyholes. I would estimate they are 3 inches long.

 

[meguro]

Depending on their colouration they might actually be stressed. Do you have a reasonable amount of surface agitation for gas exchange (dissolved oxygen being an issue perhaps?).

Otherwise it's probably of little concern.

 

[Whitester]

I have my filters return agitating the surface along with an air stone. The fish have very crisp detailed markings. Unless I am mistaken... I thought the fish were stressed when they had blotchy markings and alot of black patches all over they body. I am hoping that I purchased a female and a male, but I cannot tell just yet. I think they are still alittle young to tell. I remeasured the fish, and both are about 2 inches in length. Maybe just a 1/4 in more than 2 inches. Their fins all look good. They ate well, about 5 to 6 blood worms each. My water is fine. They aren't swimming up and down the tank every minute of the day, but they do it quite often. My tank is about 20 inches high and I would say they are only swimming up and down from the bottom to half way up the glass.

I am new to fish keeping so I was just asking if something was wrong.
Tank is cycled and has been up since May 28th 2009.

 

[meguro]

Then it's normal behaviour. They're just dancing. Either, trying to say "hello" and/or "feed me", or simply dancing. Especially if you only see them do this when you're up close to the tank.

Otherwise they might just be playing with their reflections.

 

[Nick16]

i had this with my gold barbs, i did all the checks (water etc) and found that the just saw their reflection, so i covered the back and sides of the tank with a black background (black thick paper is ok) and they stopped doing it.

 

[Whitester]

Okay thanks everyone for your input. I was just concerned because none of my other fish do this at all. Also, my LFS has a strict policy about bringing fish back. They limit the time for a refund, so I was just making sure that there was nothing wrong with the fish.

I must say, the Key holes are becoming my favorite fish. I like the way they swim. They swim so different from all the other fish. Short bursts and sudden stops. It's hard to explain. hahaha They are the very neat. I am glad I purchased them. I am thinkng about getting more once my larger tank is more mature.