New behavior?

[Cichlidnut]

I've had my discus (7 in a 65 gallon) for about 5 months now. Feeding time was always peaceful. Everybody ate together - no real problems. Over the last week or so, things have changed. There isn't any fighting but things have gotten weird all the same. It seems that two fish (they can be different ones) apparently go for the same bite of food at the same time and suddenly they dash madly away, throwing water out of the tank and usually all over me ;) . All the rest of the fish follow suit and dash away, and the food I've just put in gets dispersed from here to eternity in the tank. Two seconds later, everybody's back, acting pretty much like nothing happened. The scene usually repeats itself at least once each feeding. Is this normal behavior? I haven't changed anything I'm doing during feedings - it's always been the same routine. It's really starting to frustrate me! Thanks!

[April]

new behaviour to you..not to others. mine come up to the top to get their food...then sploosh..get me wet..whack it with their tail..and dash. then back to eating. just discus behaviour. not sure why they do it..seems like their scared but their not..maybe they are trying to whack the food down to the bottom not quite sure..
anyone else got some ideas? or..they;re like beluquas who like to spit at you..maybe they want to give you a bath.

[Cosmo]

I think they're just telling us to get lost so they can eat in peace :D

[Cichlidnut]

Well, I'm glad to find out it's not just me. I wonder what made the behavior change all of a sudden? Maybe something to do with their growing maturity? (If that's so, I liked them better "immature." :D ) Changes in hierarchy? A couple of them have been acting kinda like they're pairing up - sorta shimmying in front of each other, that mouth grab thing that almost looks like they're kissing I've read about, one will bump the other in the side, then they go in opposite directions. Who knows? I've had all kinds of fish over the last 15 years (saltwater included) and these are definitely the most challenging and interesting ones yet! They sure make me feel stupid sometimes! :o

[GulfCoastDiscus]

I think it's their way to scare the others away from the food.

dan

[SHAWN WARDLE]

I THINK MINE GETS SCARED OF THE NOISE OR SPLASH.

[Rhinoboy38]

hmmmm discus could be telling us we need a shower.............sniff sniff..........o wow they are right jees wow sorry little guys

[Howie_W]

I agree with Dan...I think this is dominance behavior. Some of my fish do this as well at feeding time...usually it's the biggest ones in the tank.

Every now and again when this happens I find myself completely soaked and left wondering if I'm caring for Discus or dolphins! :idea2:



Howie

[RAWesolowski]

I have 11 in a 125. The fish will sometimes spook if I make a sudden movement with my hand over the water. I guess their instincts make them think that my hand is a heron.

Other times, I swear that one fish feels that it doesn't have the right feeding position, does the darting thing, the rest of the fish follow and then the instigator rushes back to grab as much as he can.

[Alaskaknucklehead]

My largest female does it all the time, it statred when she splashed the container I thaw food as I was feeding sending it all in the tank at once, guess I dont add it fast enough for her!

Now she splashes at me all the time, she even did it once as I passed they tank like, "Hey- it's feedin time dude!"