Lake Malawi Species • Weird Breeding Behavior or Aggression Pecking Order?

[DoctorWebs88]

I have a 75g mixed Mbuna/Peacock tank(all around 2-3in). Species list is: Red Zebra, Yellow Tail Acei, Yellow Labx3, Strawberry Peacock, Red Shoulder Peacock, Ruby Red Peacock, Sunshine Peacock, Blue Regal Peacock. I wanted an all male tank, but recently noticed some breeding behavior, and then one of my Yellow Labs was holding. Here's my question:

My Acei (not sure if Male or Female) will confront the other tank mates, and then turn over on it's side and let them bite/nibble/kiss (not sure what to call it) his back/head area. It looks like he is seeking the other fish out, and then being very submissive to them. Is this breeding behavior, establishing a pecking order, or what? There doesn't seem to be any aggression in the tank other than this. Occasionally there will be a very quick chase, but that is rare and the chase is over within a second.

This has been going on for about a week, and now the Acei has missing scales on his back. But he is still doing the same weird behavior. I have also noticed some of the other fish doing the same weird submissive behavior of letting other fish nibble their back.

Maybe others could post their experiences with weird breeding behavior or establishing a pecking order behavior.

[DJRansome]

Here is a video from the CF Library showing what spawning looks like among Malawi. Your description does not sound exactly the same, maybe you can post a video?
https://www.cichlid-forum.com/videos/li ... Neons.mpeg

Aggression (to establish a pecking order) looks the same only much faster.

Don't keep the yellow lab fry.

[Idech]

Here is a video from the CF Library showing what spawning looks like among Malawi. Your description does not sound exactly the same, maybe you can post a video?
https://www.cichlid-forum.com/videos/li ... Neons.mpeg

Aggression (to establish a pecking order) looks the same only much faster.

Don't keep the yellow lab fry.

The link doesn’t work.

[DJRansome]

For me it creates a file at the lower left of my display, with a link that says open file.

If that is not happening on your device, you can navigate to the Cichlid-forum Library in the videos section and click there.

[DoctorWebs88]

I was able to open your video. That kind of shaking and circling does happen in my tank. But there is also the weird submissive behavior. I will try to catch it on video and post it when I get home today.

[DoctorWebs88]

Here is a video of the strange behavior.

https://youtu.be/eVIb4bFxeRg

[Deeda]

IMO there is a dispute about who can claim the opening in the rocks for territory.

Any chance of a full tank shot showing all the rocks and hiding places?

[DoctorWebs88]

Here is a full tank picture.

[DoctorWebs88]

Update: I added more rocks/caves. The Acei has stopped acting weird. All of the fish seem much happier. Thank you for all of the help.

[Deeda]

You are very welcome!