L134 Frogs... Mating or Fighting Behavior??? Video included.

pureplecs · Post by **pureplecs** » 29 Oct 2005, 16:05

Hello all! We happened to catch what we feel was odd behavior for our L134 Frog Plecs. In the video link below, you will see them locking "suckers" and whatnot. If anyone has any input of whether this is true love or a rumble in the jungle please please please let us know, thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/?v=Ikg7N81ljis

Edit: The video is around two minutes long, you see them "locking suckers" about half way through. =) This behavior went on for about a half hour from what we could see...

dj_speed_uk · Post by **dj_speed_uk** » 29 Oct 2005, 17:42

rumble in the jungle to me. over turf (territory)maybe

rkeiger · Post by **rkeiger** » 30 Oct 2005, 04:48

One of those fish will be dead soon. People don't realize how viscious plecos can be, but you now have proof. That mouth may look harmless, but they don't gum the wood, if you know what I mean.

eupterus · Post by **eupterus** » 30 Oct 2005, 11:02

I would have to agree, that appears to me to be two males fighting for territory, usually one of the males would be larger and then the submissive male would move on, in this case they arew very similar in size and there is nowhere for either to retreat to. How big is the tank and how many caves are available? I would agree that if that fighting continues one will be killed or at least be badly injured. Add more sites to the tank this may help

pureplecs · Post by **pureplecs** » 30 Oct 2005, 14:07

Thank you for your posts. They are in a 55g with PLENTY of caves and hiding places. Like I said in my first post, this behavior is odd, not something that occurs on a daily basis. We will continue to keep an eye on them. It has been about a week since that video was shot and none of them are dead nor do they look injured at this point. =)

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 30 Oct 2005, 15:44

Are they continuing to fight? Even if they appear to have stopped, I'd have a quarantine tank on stand-by, just in case. Also, it may be calming to place a background on the tank. Fish can get stressed if there's no background, no matter how many hiding places there are.

pureplecs · Post by **pureplecs** » 30 Oct 2005, 15:58

No we have not seen a continuation of this behavior. We do have a background for the tank, we just need to get it on there.

eupterus · Post by **eupterus** » 30 Oct 2005, 21:15

Unlike humans, animals tend to settle things without intentionally harming, quarels over dominance are often settled with a show of strength. If what you saw was a one of display and the tanks and surrounding are adequately sized to accommodate these fish. You may have been fortunate and the dominant one has exerted authority and the submissive has accepted that. Are the any other frogs in their or just the two

pureplecs · Post by **pureplecs** » 30 Oct 2005, 21:21

There are actually six total. I haven't tried to sex all of them but I think there are at least two males (not because of the display but because of size and spotted bellies). Thanks for the replies!