platy ben

Ok everyone so on thursday i bought 2 tiny fire mouth cichlids, they are both about 0.75" long.

Just literally 2 minutes ago they started flaring their gills along side eachother and then waving there bodys then just not biting but jabbing the other with their mouths.

I guess they are having a fight and deciding the pecking order out of the 2 maybe?

Any help is appreciated

agabr123

they're probably fighting, but it's hard to have a pecking order of just the two of them, the one that loses is going to have a pretty hard time. things to look out for (i dont know if this specifically applies to fire mouths but it applies to lots of fish) are lip locking and barrel rolling

capekate

Hi PlatyBen
It does seem as though the firemouths are challenging each other. I would just make sure you have plenty of hiding places and plants all around for them to hide in. (which I think you do?)

platy ben

I certainly do, they didnt even know eachother were in the tank today.

I only intend on keeping them in there current tank for about a month and then they will be split up if they continue fighting.

capekate

Best of luck with them PlatyBen. Its possible they are both males and just being aggressive. Sometimes it doesnt amount to much, they are cichlids..
but if one looks like its getting injured or sick.. weak.. then yes, it would be time to move them. Hopefully they will settle down for you.

platy ben

They are hanging out together at the moment and they have been feeding together nicely so hopefully they'll keep playing nice!