Strange behaviour of spotted Sewellia sp.

[Emma Turner]

On Friday evening we stayed late at the shop so that I could spend some time taking photgraphs of some of our new loach additions (coming soon - probably tomorrow - in another thread ).
Towards the end of my photo taking, a few tanks down from where I was taking the pictures, I noticed a huge amount of activity going on in the Sewellia sp. 'spotted' stock tank, so I moved over slowly to get a better look. Two specimens were engaged in some sort of strange behaviour that I haven't seen before, both at the shop, or at home in my River Tank. I see the odd scuffle and 'topping' behaviour etc, but these seemed to be up to something else entirely. I managed to take a few snaps but the quality is not great and you'll have to excuse the water marks as I hadn't planned on taking pics of that tank (otherwise I would have cleaned it better! ). The ritual must have gone on for over half an hour, and during this time they were pursuing each other all over the front area of the tank, occasionally 'nibbling' gently at each other and what appeared to be stroking along the dorsal surface. What I found most interesting was the fact that each time after they had done this, they then turned belly to belly and appeared to almost entwine. I went and got Steve to come and have a look at this point as I wanted someone else to see what was going on - to me it was very different to the usual fighting seen amongst Sewellia:













I'm not sure if this was a male and female getting friendly. Having never seen the spawning behaviour exhibited by my breeding group of Sewellia lineolata, I'm not really sure what would be involved.

We were there a lot later than we would normally have been that night. I was a bit annoyed that I ran out of space on the memory card (lots of pics of new additions taken earlier) otherwise I would have tried to get more pics. But then it would be difficult to say whether this would have disturbed them too much anyway....

What do the cheni breeders think? Have you seen anything like this in the 'dance' they carry out near their chosen pebble for laying the eggs?

Emma

[Jim Powers]

Amazing pics, Emma.
From the what I can see, it looks like a male and female (if the differences are similar to lineolata) getting a bit romantic.
You know we are going to be extremely jealous if you breed that species too.

[Martin Thoene]

Just incredible pics Emma. Don't worry about the water-marks. If you want to use these for their species profile (which I think we should), send me the big size files and I'll work my magic with the calcium remover

This belly to belly stuff is really interesting. Highly unconventional behaviour for any type of hillstream, either fighting or making whoopee.

Cheni males dance around the female or "top" her, but the female just eventually accepts the male and then follows him around the tank until they settle on one of his prepared pits for the actual deed. She doesn't really take an active part in any sort of courtship dance.

I'm pretty sure that I see a slight overall colour difference between these two fish.

!st pic, left fish I think I see pectoral fin ray "fences".

3rd pic, left fish again.

5th pic, top fish.

6th pic, left fish.

Trouble is, in no picture can you clearly see the other fish's pectoral top surfaces. I would like to see a full-size closeup of the two fish from pic 5 as I think I can see the fences also in the lower fish.

My guess is that it's two males. As you've seen with S. lineolata, they can really get feisty with one another. I'm thinking that this is just two blokes having a punch up and getting really pushy with one another.
I somehow doubt that it's two opposite sexes involved in some sort of trial of strength to determine mating suitability such as you'll see in lip-locked Cichlids.

Whatever it is, these pics represent another major leap forward in recorded behavioural knowledge (AKA Loach Porn )

Martin.

[Jim Powers]

When you look at the 4th pic down, you can see that the leading edge of the pectoral fins of the top fish are more rounded as in beaufortia. The lower fish has the "square-shouldered" look of a male sewellia lineolata. I have noticed that my two males not only have the fin ray "fences" but, when seen from below, have this same "square-shouldered-look".The female has more muted color, no fin ray "fences" and the rounded beaufortia-like pectoral fins.

[Mad Duff]

Stunning photo's Emma

Everytime I see photo's like that of Hillstream Loaches it weakens my resolve a little more and makes it more certain that I will be setting up a Hillstream tank sooner rather than later

Resistance Is Futile....You Will Be Assimilated

Its already starting

[Graeme Robson]

Excellent pictures and fascinating behavior.

[Emma Turner]

It sure is interesting stuff. The only thing I forgot to add in my post last night (it was late over here!) was that if any other 'spottie' got too close to these two, they would chase them away and then return to the front area of the tank and start over again.

Martin, I'll e-mail you the pics to work your magic with, but you will be shocked by the amount of water marking on them - I already got the worst of it off for posting on here!

Emma

[Martin Thoene]

I'll stock up on vinegar and old newspaper then

I noticed you were up late. Some ijit here went to bed for 2 hours, got up, watched the Shanghai GP and then went back to bed for 4 more hours....yawn!

Ridiculous tyre choice there Fernando! DUH.

Martin.

[Emma Turner]

Shhhh! Don't tell me any more, I've taped it to watch it later!!!

Sending over the files now. You might need a hefty amount of vinegar.....

Emma

[mikev]

Very interesting and great photos as usual.

I've noticed that the best time to watch them (reg. Sewellia, not spotted) is in the middle of the night, with very little light: they were considerably more active than during the day. Maybe moonlight, like you have with Clowns, would also work Sewellia?

[Emma Turner]

Very interesting and great photos as usual.

I've noticed that the best time to watch them (reg. Sewellia, not spotted) is in the middle of the night, with very little light: they were considerably more active than during the day. Maybe moonlight, like you have with Clowns, would also work Sewellia?

Funnily enough I was only talking about putting a blue moon light tube on the tank a few days ago. Like you, I have noticed a definite increase in activity after lights out. Could even be when the spawnings have been taking place?

Emma

[mikev]

I did not see anything even remotely of this type, but a plenty of chasing and eating. They were all on the ground/stones. But even a very small amount of light was enough to make them move to the glass over about ten minutes.

[Martin Thoene]

I go window cleaning to earn an honest bob.
For a nosey parker it's an interesting job
Now it's a job that just suits me, a window cleaner you will be.
If you could see what I can see
When I'm cleaning windows.

The honeymooning couples too, you should see them bill and coo.
You'd be surprised at things they do
When I'm cleaning windows

George Formby, 1936

Original.


Rub-a-dub-dub, crop, snip, polish.



Definitely see pectoral "fences" on the lower fish.

Hmmmmm.....blue lamp.......look what I have lurking under my bed.....



It's a set of blue LED Christmas lights inside an old lighting housing.

Martin.

[Mad Duff]

It's a set of blue LED Christmas lights inside an old lighting housing.

Good idea Martin, may have to give that one a try. I do have a set of blue cold cathode lights on my bristlenose breeding tank and the fish certainly do seem more active with them on.

[Jim Powers]

I'm really curious now about the sexual dimorphism of the sewellia species. I have just three sewellia lineolata (and lost one prior to this batch) so I want to see if it is the same with all of sewellia.
As I stated before,while checking for the fin "fences" I noticed that ALL those with the "fences" also had the "square-shouldered" look pectoral fins and brighter colors. All those without, were less brightly colored, and had rounded pectorals. The dominant sewellia is the brightest colored and has the "fences" and "square shoulders".
It would be interesting if all other sewellia owners checked out their fish to see if these same characteristics hold true. It could make it easier to sex the fish if that is the case, particularly if they are on the glass.