l. dorsigera, these guys are not kissing...

[Cockatoofreak]

No, they are just saying hello...in their own way! These guys are a hoot to watch...

 

[anewbie]

Female testing if male will be a suitable mate.

 

[MacZ]

I would sex them both to be males, to be honest.

 

[anewbie]

I would sex them both to be males, to be honest.

The one on the left has 1 dot the one on the left has 2 dot in the dorsal fiins which is a sex indicator.

 

[MacZ]

I'm aware of this distinction, but tbh the picture is too blurry for me to be sure about that.

 

[anewbie]

I'm aware of this distinction, but tbh the picture is too blurry for me to be sure about that.

Well if it is too blurry for you then i don't see how you can declare it to be two males. Anyway it seems straight forward to myself. Maybe this will help (my pair of domestics):

 

[MacZ]

Well if it is too blurry for you then i don't see how you can declare it to be two males.

It was more of a tendency I voiced, than a clear declaration, but I get your point.

Your picture confirms my problem. The fish on the left in the OPs picture is blurred exactly where it matters.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Female testing if male will be a suitable mate.

Could be...

 

[Cockatoofreak]

I would sex them both to be males, to be honest.

That would be my guess!

 

[Cockatoofreak]

I'm aware of this distinction, but tbh the picture is too blurry for me to be sure about that.

My camera work could be better, TBH !

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Well if it is too blurry for you then i don't see how you can declare it to be two males. Anyway it seems straight forward to myself. Maybe this will help (my pair of domestics):
View attachment 17412

I wonder why the one of the left (female?) has more yellow on the dorsal edge?

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Better photo. I believe these are the same ones only now, they are a pair, dancing around each other. They travel around the tank, as if looking for a spawning site. They will not allow any other fish to get close...

 

[anewbie]

Better photo. I believe these are the same ones only now, they are a pair, dancing around each other. They travel around the tank, as if looking for a spawning site. They will not allow any other fish to get close...View attachment 17420

I guess they kissed and made up.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

I guess they kissed and made up.

Now I have two others doing the same thing. If they pair off, I have 3 left...I wasn't expecting this so soon but, I do have a number of 20g Long tanks in reserve.

 

[Mike Wise]

Looks like time to move pairs to their own breeding tanks.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Looks like time to move pairs to their own breeding tanks.

Yes, sir, in process ...

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Yes, sir, in process ...

Too late! The tank is 48" long. They were scouting out sites in each corner but, of course, decided on a log in the middle of the tank. If these fish need 15" or so of territory, they picked the worst spot.

The tank has 5 more of them plus 7 cardinals and 8 Harlequins. They have their work cut out for them!

 

[KenL]

Too late! The tank is 48" long. They were scouting out sites in each corner but, of course, decided on a log in the middle of the tank. If these fish need 15" or so of territory, they picked the worst spot.

The tank has 5 more of them plus 7 cardinals and 8 Harlequins. They have their work cut out for them!

Keep us posted.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Keep us posted.

Will do!

 

[Cockatoofreak]

Will do!

Here is the proud mother guarding the eggs which cover the log beneath her.