CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

a couple of my fish like to get near another fish and tremble, or quiver like.
Does anyone know why they do this?
Pets aka Laurie

What type of fish? I have mbuna which do that when either threatening another fish or trying to attract a spawning partner.

One is a male Kenyi and the other is a male Maylandia.

It's generally a courting ritual related to spawning. They don't need to be the same species to start this display.

Originally posted by fnesr
It's generally a courting ritual related to spawning. They don't need to be the same species to start this display.

Correct. Oscars act this way too -- sometimes even when they're around rocks. Does anyone know whether this is something specific to Cichlids, or is it found elsewhere in the tropical freshwater world? --Mark:cool:

My Severums do it also. Surprised me the first time I saw it. Also the Rusties. I don't recall seeing it in non-cichlds. My sunnies have their own rituals, sort of a waggle, but not exactly that shivering thing.

Thank you, maybe I'll get lucky and my female Kenyi will respond:)

I've never seen this behavior in any other fish, but every cichlid I've owned has done it with excection to my bolivian ram that I have now.