farrenator
05-01-2009, 03:06 PM
I am new to Rainbows. I introduced 2 male and 3 female Praecox to my 55 gallon, planted tank approx 10 days ago. I feed with a mixture I made of fish + beef heart + peas + spinach.
I just noticed this morning that both males have developed a white stripe that extends from the tip of the mouth up through the dorsal fin and down to the caudal fin - along the back. On one it is very pronounced, on the other not so much. It may be just me, but it seems like they are herding the females as well. The male with the more pronounced stripe is larger (1.5") and seems to be more actively staking out a position in the corner of the tank under some floating plants. He is more actively courting females as well.
Is this part of the normal breeding behavior - the white stripe? I am just curious. Otherwise the fish are very healthy and vigorous. The females have not developed the stripe.
Sorry, can't take pics since I have no digital camera. Just picture it as f someone had taken a paint brush and painted the back of the fish with white.
I just noticed this morning that both males have developed a white stripe that extends from the tip of the mouth up through the dorsal fin and down to the caudal fin - along the back. On one it is very pronounced, on the other not so much. It may be just me, but it seems like they are herding the females as well. The male with the more pronounced stripe is larger (1.5") and seems to be more actively staking out a position in the corner of the tank under some floating plants. He is more actively courting females as well.
Is this part of the normal breeding behavior - the white stripe? I am just curious. Otherwise the fish are very healthy and vigorous. The females have not developed the stripe.
Sorry, can't take pics since I have no digital camera. Just picture it as f someone had taken a paint brush and painted the back of the fish with white.