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Blue zebra is flipping body against rocks...

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by Anonymous, Jun 25, 2009.

  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    About three days now he has been more aggressive and doing a little thing where he swats the rocks with his tail. He does this quite often. I have tried many different searches to find information. I should be able to get some video of him doing this but was hoping it is normal behavior. Pretty sure he is a blue zebra.

    If you like take a look at him on the latest video I have, but I don't think he does it once in the whole nine minutes of footage!

    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gmiPfTses" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gmiPfTses</a>
     
    Anonymous, Jun 25, 2009
    #1
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Where in the video is he doing what you're referring to ?
     
    Anthony, Jun 25, 2009
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  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    I will take a shot of it. It's not IN all that footage. I thought maybe my description would make sense --I'm starting to wonder if maybe he is sick....will be back with some footage of it in a bit.
     
    Anonymous, Jun 26, 2009
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  4. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fIg6--MYsw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fIg6--MYsw</a>
    Quick Video of him doing the thing.
     
    Anonymous, Jun 26, 2009
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  5. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    any signs of injuries?
    Illness (grainy patches that look like salt, tufts that look fuzzy)?
    I don't know how to sex them, but a possiblity could be he's/she's trying to impress the other sex (doubt it though).

    If he/she is eating...coloration is good..and not showing signs such as the ones given above...I would say harmless flashing.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 26, 2009
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  6. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    He's got nothing like that that I can see. I've examined him with a flashlight and other types of light (annoying him greatly) since the tank is dim in areas due to the floating plants.

    He is not wounded either. His gills are darker blue moreso than when I first got him but his stripes are also more distinct so I think that is normal.

    Thank you, Dawn, he is my favorite and I've been worried.
     
    Anonymous, Jun 26, 2009
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  7. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    i agree with dawn on the harmless flashing. my africans do it as well.
     
    buzz4520, Jun 26, 2009
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  8. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    If you see no signs of external parasites it should be fine. Often times, as buzz stated, they will flash for no reason.
     
    Anthony, Jun 26, 2009
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  9. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    I looked at the video and that looks normal to me. My males did that sometimes as if to mark their territory.
     
    Anthony, Jun 26, 2009
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  10. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    I think I'll agree with anthony on this one. Though I'd give him an extra eye IF I were you
     
    Guidoman888, Jun 26, 2009
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  11. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Okay, thank you all very much.
     
    Anonymous, Jun 26, 2009
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  12. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    Thats where the forum is for :)
     
    Guidoman888, Jun 26, 2009
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  13. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Your welcome xnefc, glad I could reduce your worry load!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 26, 2009
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  14. stevenrox

    stevenrox New Member

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    ick
     
    stevenrox, Jun 27, 2009
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  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Disagree 100% steven, sorry..but no signs of external parasites and most times without any other signs...this is consider normal cichlid behavior.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jun 27, 2009
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  16. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    I thought aso first. But he doesnt appear to be really rubbing too
     
    Guidoman888, Jun 27, 2009
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  17. Anonymous

    Anonymous Thread Starter Guest

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    Still watching him/them for any signs of illness and checking the water which is good. He's the dominant fish, and always claiming the caves. I put more caves in recently, and he wants them all. Even the floating log.
     
    Anonymous, Jun 27, 2009
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  18. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    If he's dominant I really think anthony is right and he's marking off his terretorie
     
    Guidoman888, Jun 27, 2009
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  19. gsoul55

    gsoul55 New Member

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    My mbuna's are always doing that in the sand against the rocks it is definite normal behavior. My fronts even do it.
     
    gsoul55, Jul 1, 2009
    #19