Strange Behaviour From Harlequins

[-cAtFiSh-]

ever since i got my Harlequin Rasboras i have noticed this really strange behaviour that they do quite often (i have 8 Harlequins btw)
what they do is two Harlequins, sometimes three, will go next to each other with their dorsal fins very erect and swim backwards slowly or around in circles. they then kind of bash into each other. they do this a couple of times until one swims away.
i think i have asked this question before but didnt really get a definate answer.
has anyone else noticed this behaviour with Harlequins and why do they do it?

 

[breezer40]

My guess is it is one of two things.
Mild aggression.. If it is males then they are trying to work out who is boss.

The mating dance..If it is a male and female and have some plants in the tank wait to see if the female starts to turn her belly towards the underside of a leaf and if she does then they are ready to start a family. It could be that two males are trying to mate with the female and both showing off to her and telling each other how big they are.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

hmmm. how do you tell a male and female apart? mine all look very similar in size. one or two may be a little duller in colour. and also they have been doing this for well over a year (ever since i have bought them) and i havent seen any signs of egg laying or eggs for that matter.

 

[breezer40]

They all have a black triangle shape on themwith a point towards the underside. The males point goes all the way down the side whereas the females are a little shorter

This might explain it a little better

http/www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/rrasbora.htm

 

[emma12321]

Mine do this all the time, to sex them the black section on the males is supposed to curve to a point at the bottom and the females is supposed to be straight and less defined, that said mine all look so similar i haven't a clue what they are. How many do you have? I'm down to 5 now and they do it more often than when i started off with 9, they were one of the first fish i got and the 5 left are still going strong, i think they have a lifespan of 8 years.

Emma

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

oh cool thanks for that. i will go and observe them now

Mine do this all the time, to sex them the black section on the males is supposed to curve to a point at the bottom and the females is supposed to be straight and less defined, that said mine all look so similar i haven't a clue what they are. How many do you have? I'm down to 5 now and they do it more often than when i started off with 9, they were one of the first fish i got and the 5 left are still going strong, i think they have a lifespan of 8 years.

Emma

i have 8.

Thanks for all your help

edit: ok after observing for about 10 seconds i gave up lol. its too hard to count them when they dont stop moving! i think i have about 2 to 4 females and the rest males.

 

[breezer40]

hmmm. how do you tell a male and female apart? mine all look very similar in size. one or two may be a little duller in colour. and also they have been doing this for well over a year (ever since i have bought them) and i havent seen any signs of egg laying or eggs for that matter.

Females are also duller if that helps?

 

[lljdma06]

I have 9. For me, they do the "mating dance" after a water change, usually the morning after. This is done quite regularly and the eggs are then viciously guarded by my betta Fasolt. He will then proceed to eat the eggs. If I get a larger tank, which is in the works back in Miami. My family plans on a 55g. I'll build the school to 25 or so. That should be fun, with some bottom dwellers and some gouramis or betta imbellis scattered about.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

I have 9. For me, they do the "mating dance" after a water change, usually the morning after. This is done quite regularly and the eggs are then viciously guarded by my betta Fasolt. He will then proceed to eat the eggs. If I get a larger tank, which is in the works back in Miami. My family plans on a 55g. I'll build the school to 25 or so. That should be fun, with some bottom dwellers and some gouramis or betta imbellis scattered about.

so this is a 'mating dance' then?

 

[lljdma06]

so this is a 'mating dance' then?

Well, Fasolt eats the eggs afterwards, so I'm guessing that it is. Could be wrong, though. But eggs are usually a good indicator that something's going on.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

so this is a 'mating dance' then?

Well, Fasolt eats the eggs afterwards, so I'm guessing that it is. Could be wrong, though. But eggs are usually a good indicator that something's going on.

shame i havent seen any as yet. will keep an eye out