Odd Behavier ?

[Perryuk]

K I'm newish to keeping Malawi knave 3 yellow labs 1 blue moori an a red zebra. The yellow labs are about 5 cm an every night as I'm dimming there lights 2 start showing out to each other an spin round an round in a tight circle they are the smaller 2 of the 3 no fins are nipped, is this jus a dominance order showing ?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

If they are doing that and attacking each other then it would be a fight or they are showing breading behavior. I've seen them do the circle for both.

 

[Perryuk]

Im guessing there to small for breeding at this size, they calm down after a bit an go about grazing around the tank fascinating

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Im guessing there to small for breeding at this size, they calm down after a bit an go about grazing around the tank fascinating

I think mine started when the female was about 1.5" and the male at 2". You may end up with a breeding pair and its common when young to go threw the motions showing untreated in each other

 

[Freshwater guy]

I have also had yellow lab's attempt to breed at about that size. They continued to go through the motions (unsuccessfully) until both male and female were a little bigger than 2 inches. Like mentioned earlier if no fins are nipped I would consider it just practicing. 

 

[Perryuk]

These 2 not even picked a cave or nothing guess its inexperience then they are I suppose young teenagers lol

 

[Andrew McFadden]

These 2 not even picked a cave or nothing guess its inexperience then they are I suppose young teenagers lol

I have never noticed this till after the fact when they protect it.

 

[Perryuk]

Ok so I'm learning breed then select an area to protect. Great to think I'm providing the environment they may be thinking about it ! Still guess time will tell