Paretropus unique feeding strategy

[notho2000]

Anyone who has kept the genus Paretroplus has seen their unique feeding strategy of vigorously shaking their heads back and forth near the substrate to stir up food particles. Their laterally compressed bodies make for a very effective tool for this purpose. It is very commonly seen with adults and larger juveniles. But a while back I was surprised to see this behavior in my 3/4 - 1" fry of P. maculatus. It's kind of comical to see these little fish doing their thing just like "the big boys" do it. Here's a video of the behavior.
-Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3jej8b9xoE