Mouthing at the Glass?

**MandyH** · 04-24-2012, 12:44 AM

I'm not quite sure how to explain this, but it looks like one of my new (bought about 2.5 weeks ago) Firemouth Cichlids is mouthing at (or towards) the glass. He (or she) seems to do it a lot whenever I go over to the tank. Is this normal behavior? Maybe it's associating me with food now?

**Dave66** · 04-24-2012, 01:10 AM

Maybe, but it's more likely he sees himself in the glass, and is trying to push off the 'rival' so he can get to the food that the food goddess brings.

Dave

**Honey Badger 1** · 04-24-2012, 01:49 AM

My wild caught texas cichlids do this too when I go near the tank. When I have food in my hand they go crazy "mouthing" the glass. Since your fish do it mostly when you approach the tank it's more likely they are trying to get through the glass to the food. I wouldn't necessarily call it normal behavior but learned behavior instead. They have learned you are the food source and get excited when you go near the tank.

**ScottishFish** · 04-24-2012, 11:38 AM

Sounds like a regular ole firemouth being greedy as usual

**Lady Hobbs** · 04-24-2012, 01:58 PM

I had 5 Silver Dollar fish that would sit in the middle of the tank and stare into the living room for hours. I think the movement in the room makes them curious. I also had a very tame featherfin catfish that would come out of hiding if I sat in front of the tank and tapped on the glass. We'd sit there eyeball to eyeball as long as I remained in that spot. As soon as I moved away, so would he.

Some fish are just way more cool to have than others.

**MandyH** · 04-24-2012, 09:19 PM

These are my first Firemouths and I'm really liking them so far! They are very cool!

**junkers12** · 04-25-2012, 12:17 AM

Maybe he wants a kiss.

I have a few fish that do the same.

**junkers12** · 04-25-2012, 01:47 AM

Do you have some alge on the glass, sometimes if there is he could be trying to eat it.

**MandyH** · 04-25-2012, 02:28 AM

No I don't think it's algae. I do have a pleco who does a bang up job keeping things tidy. I did manage to get a cool pick of him doing it tonight. Don't mind the streaks, I did clean the glass after I got the pic. :)