Harlequin Shrimp, Dancing or Fighting

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by nc208082, Dec 9, 2011.

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  1. nc208082

    nc208082 Zoanthid

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    So my harlequin shrimp have grown quite a bit and now look like they are full size id say about 1.5``, now they hadnt really shown any signs of being together before but now i keep catching them dancing. They lock their claws together and get really close like they are kissing but it also looks like they`re dancing around.

    IS this a kind of fighting, or mating, or pairing or what.
     

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  3. thepanfish

    thepanfish Flying Squid

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    Sounds like aggression, but I'd like to see a video.
     
  4. nc208082

    nc208082 Zoanthid

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    will do when I can, was afraid of that seeing them reach full size and this behavior start.
     
  5. proreefer

    proreefer Feather Star

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    in the wild they work and feed in small groups if you don't see signs of damage on them i think there ok
     
  6. nc208082

    nc208082 Zoanthid

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    No signs of Damage and i think i figured out my own question too, after observing them for the rest of the day i have noticed they wont go more than about 4-5 inches from each other, If one moves the other follows. I spoke with someone at a fish store, showed him my pics of what they were doing, he made a good point that since neither of them ran away it was more likely to be a sign of a mating dance or something like that. If one attacked the other the other wouldn't stay around too long or if they fought I'd only have one left by now.