Aggression between Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish

[TheNacho]

I got a couple of L010a's a few months ago, male and female. They're in a 29g with a few guppies, a larger pleco, and some cherry shrimp. So far no problems.

Today I was feeding them some sinking food and both of them were eating, then the male accidentally hit the female with his tail and they started fighting, lunging at each other constantly.

It's been a few minutes and they eventually stopped.

Is this behavior normal? Can they hurt each other at all? They seem ok now.

Thanks

 

[Demeter]

I’m sure it’s fine. My BN plecos do the same thing regardless of gender, usually during feedings. If one gets too close to another there’s a bit of nose-to-nose combat and a few tail slaps. Never any harm done.

 

[SparkyJones]

theres a few things fish fight over, mates, territory and food. my opinion a totally normal reaction to the situation, the bump, then they both end up thinking the other is trying to push them off of the food for themselves.