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I have noticed that both my Venustus and a few of my Demasoni (the competing males) will once in a while 'bounce' off of a rock, or 'bounce' off of the substrate.

The only way I can describe it, is that it looks like the fish body check the rock. As the swim along, they quickly turn on thier side and bounce off the side of the rock with thier body?

Is this some sign of aggression?

Its not a chronic problem, so I don't think its Ich. Its just every once in a while.

Any ideas?

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.

It's called flicking and is usually a sign something is annoying the fish. Although I had loaches that did it for no apparent reason with no other fish doing it and they lived for years. Occasionally I think it is just a behavioral thing but you should run tests on your water quality and keep an eye on the fish for any visible parasites or injuries. If your tank doesn't contain any sensitive fish or inverts a light dose of melafix or pimafix might be worth it to test if it has any effect. If it does then something is definitely bothering them. Also you can try an increase in water changes for a couple weeks and see if the behavior increases or decreases any. That might tell you if it's something wrong in the tank or in your tap.

I saw a cichlid in a display tank at the lfs do it. Since I had always known it to be an indication of parasites or irritations I commented. Thankfully I was told that occasional flicking is normal cichlid behaviour.

A relief since I would have thought my fish was sick. And indeed it has proven correct I do see my cichlids flick and it is nothing sinister. If I saw a fish do it more than once as I stood watching the tank (ie more than once in a coupla mins) then I would worry.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Mild fluke investation or problem with water irritating skin and gills and not 'normal' behavior. Compare it to scratching when you itch. Fish can live to a ripe age with minor fluke problems but there is always the chance that the pest population increases for several reasons (water paraeters, fish aging and not being able to fight off the ailment, new fish/plants bringing in other 'companions' that provide an additive effect, etc). Occassionally you will see a fish with a 'tick' but the ffact that several fish in your tank are doing it would get me concerned

I watched them last night for about 15 minutes straight, and on and off for 2 hours (While watching the Leafs game) and didn't notice the flicking.

I'll keep my eyes posted, and will check the parameters. Outside of my pH, what are the 'normal' parameters Africans (in general)?

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You know I am Canadian when I use hockey metaphors to reference fish behaviour - re: body check = flicking.

72G Bowfront. 1 Sunshine Peacock, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Ps. Elongatus, 1 Blue Ahli, 1 Red Kadanga, 1 Mel. Exasperatus, 1 metriaclima emmiltos, 1 Ancistrus.

14.5G 4 Neon Tetras.