Leokiss

Have any of you guys with dwarf loaches noticed a kind of belly sniffing? I know armadillo posted on this but mine is a bit different.Its between themselves well one really he/she trys to push the others over and sniff/mouth about the anus end of the body,all swim away except one?This one allows its self to be pushed onto its side while the other has a good sniff and wont move till its finished.If any others approach while this is in progress the sniffer chases them away then returns and continues.At first i thought it could be a show of dominance but now its like they are pairing off,mating ritual?I realise nobody may be able to answer this ive asked before about mating and no one seems to know.There is probs another explanation as i still think mine maybe 2 young and is unherd of for them to breed in tank conditions.Saying they are too young,anyone know when they become sexually active mine all have dark backs and the chain patterns are fading.Any answers or thoughts are welcome

armadillo

Hi Leokiss. I think mine do that too. I've read somewhere that there's constant confirmation of the hierarchy whenever the DL's swim in a group. Couldn't that just be it? Just showing who's boss?

Also, just because breeding in aquaria is not reported doesn't mean it doesn't happen. We had our otos breed, and we have a pregnant kuhli, without trying anything, and they're supposed to be really tricky to get to breed. So you never know.

I have no idea when they reach sexual maturity, but out of curiosity, why are you ruling out that they are sexually mature? I havne't seen yours, so I don't know if the answer is obvious like they're just tiny or something, but am curious.

Finally, maybe mating does happen frequently in aquaria, just not successful breeding.

So I guess I am saying it sounds like some hierarchy thing, but as you've seen the behaviour and you find it closer akin to mating, then am thinking why not?

Sorry this is all guesses.

Leokiss

Hi armadillo i guess i may be wrong about their maturity as from what i've read about signs of maturity they are showing them,ie darker back & fading chain pattern.

I haven't seen any mating it just seemed like a possibality,just the behaviour i described.It could well be a hierarchy thing.But what you said about mating and not having successful breeding sounds resonable too.
Im just guessing too i suppose when the DL has become more popular and been around in fishkeeping longer things wont be as sketchy,i'll keep you infomed if owt happens!

armadillo

That'd be ace! (if they bred). As for mine, I hope they don't breed. Scary buggers bit me, didn't they.

Leokiss

Haha i read that post.I was abit jealous when you talked about them feeding from stick and not been shy now they've started biting im quite happy mine dart for cover when i put anything in tank

armadillo

Ah, you see? There's always something positive in a shy fish. Mine are absolute terrors. Am getting more as I think that'll calm them down.

Butterfly

don't bet on it
Carol

armadillo

Well I hope so, as they're upsetting the other fish now. Am particularly worried about the pleco. They've eaten whole chunks of her tail. But I am hopeful, actually. We'll see. I'll let you guys know how it goes.