Pictures of the fish fighting

A minor dominance battle between Melanochromis auratus, Melanochromis chipokae and Maylandia crabro:

A more serious territory fight (these guys are circling each other):

A Pseudotropheus socolofi tries to nip a Melanochromis johannii's anal fin.

Fish duke it out over the space in front of the dragon rock.

A female Maylandia crabro chases a male out of the way.

Note that she is carrying eggs in her mouth. This tends to make females much more aggressive and irritable. Of course if I hadn't eaten in two weeks, I'd be pretty grumpy too!


A male Maylandia crabro tries to chase a male Melanochromis johannii out of his cave.


A female Melanochromis chipokae carrying eggs defends herself from another female with eggs.


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Last modified at Friday, October 23, 2009