Identify the fish and the conduct?

[lbremer]

Can anyone identify these fish? And then, what are they doing in this photo?

Fish.jpg

[myjohnson]

Looks like two nickchromis trying to make out.

[imagirlgeek]

myjohnson...are you drunk??

I'm looking for what kind they are, but I would say they are fighting.

Will report back if I can find an ID on them.

[imagirlgeek]

Hemichromis elongatus? Maybe?

Are these your fish?

[cichlid1409]

some kind of malawi cichlid ....they are definitely fighting

Looks like two nickchromis trying to make out.

started drinking early tonight , huh

[armthehomeless]

I would say they are fighting.

+1
No idea what they are off top of my head... but the look like Malawi to me to.

[lbremer]

I thought about Hemichromis elongatus, but thought that their spots appear to be more distinct and less like lines I see on Hemichromis elongatus. They are fish in my tank, but I wasn't involved in selecting them, so I have no idea what they are.

They held that position off and on for several minutes...long enough for me to go find the camera. Not my definition of a fight....but maybe posturing for a fight.

[Zulaab]

What they are doing is sizing each other up. Both with hold their mouths open to show the other one who is the biggest.. Basically both know the winner is the one with the biggest mouth (ie size matters in a fight).
Because they where like this for minutes most likely backing up and moving forward a little at a time, they are sizing each other up for a fight. If they departed from each other without fighting the fish considered it a draw. Cichlids are WELL known for what you saw. My Leleupi males would do this all the time when they would size each other up. Most likely at some point in the future a fight will occur, and basically the winner takes the girls.
I am going to agree with everyone here.. Malawi hap

[TaTeR ToT]

they are Neolamprologus Sexfaciatus 'Gold'

they are jaw locking for dominance

[myjohnson]

started drinking early tonight , huh

question or statement?

[cichlid1409]

statement


that looks like a positive id to me tator, good one.

[geoff_tropheus]

I think Brian is right...

Sexfaciatus

[geoff_tropheus]

cool shot BTW...these your fishes?

[lbremer]

Thanks. They are mine. I was really surprised that they held the "pose" long enough for me to get the camera.

[fshfrk]

yup Brian is right. Those are some fun little fish. Do you have any females? They are arm wrestling fish style!