2 Tangs kissing

[DeadlyCompassion]

So weird title, I know. But the title is really all I can describe it as.
My 2 tangs- Powder Blue Tang and Blonde Naso Tang- were caught red handed giving each other the kissy-kiss action.

All jokes aside, I would like to know what kind of tang behavior this is and what it means? I've never had multiple tangs in the same tank before. I always had just 1 in a tank. So I never got to witness any kind of social behavior.

My assumption is that it's like a grooming behavior of some sort? It was wholly non-aggressive, and the naso was very gentle, and the powder blue was completely fine with it. Didnt move while the naso did it.
Overall, they get along extremely well. Never fought. Only the occasional body wiggle from the PBT, but not aggressive, seems more like showing off/dominance display.

I would like to know, for SCIENCE.

 

[Muffin87]

have you been watching romcoms and Disney classics in the same room as your aquarium?

 

[DeadlyCompassion]

have you been watching romcoms and Disney classics in the same room as your aquarium?

Wouldn't that be something!

 

[Tired]

A video might be helpful. Could be an attempt at some sort of intimidation that isn't quite succeeding.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So weird title, I know. But the title is really all I can describe it as.
My 2 tangs- Powder Blue Tang and Blonde Naso Tang- were caught red handed giving each other the kissy-kiss action.

All jokes aside, I would like to know what kind of tang behavior this is and what it means? I've never had multiple tangs in the same tank before. I always had just 1 in a tank. So I never got to witness any kind of social behavior.

My assumption is that it's like a grooming behavior of some sort? It was wholly non-aggressive, and the naso was very gentle, and the powder blue was completely fine with it. Didnt move while the naso did it.
Overall, they get along extremely well. Never fought. Only the occasional body wiggle from the PBT, but not aggressive, seems more like showing off/dominance display.

I would like to know, for SCIENCE.

having many tangs Ive seen this a couple of times and it appears they are cleaning each others' mouths. There was no damage with this behavior, but they appeared to be picking opposed to kissing

 

[DeadlyCompassion]

A video might be helpful. Could be an attempt at some sort of intimidation that isn't quite succeeding.

If I see them doing it again, I will try to get a video. Seems odd for it to be an intimidation tactic though. They are super chill with each other, swimming together all the time and sharing food, they seem like best buds to be honest. The blonde naso is always checking in on the PBT when he hides in his little cave and even feeds it by pulling strips of nori off the seaweed clip and letting the flow of the tank take it downstream to the PBT, where they eat it. I'd be extremely surprised if that's what this behavior meant.

 

[DeadlyCompassion]

having many tangs Ive seen this a couple of times and it appears they are cleaning each others' mouths. There was no damage with this behavior, but they appeared to be picking opposed to kissing

Hahah, I figured. I didn't think they were kissing per se, I just didn't know what else to describe it as for others to understand what I am talking about. Kissing is a very human thing to do.... some freshwater fish I know of do it, but sometimes it means "I dont like you" rather than "I love you". XD

 

[Tired]

Kissing gouramis don't actually kiss either, it's just shoving with mouths. I'm not sure of any animals that properly kiss, other than us, though some birds do nibble at each other's faces in a way that's pretty close.

 

[DeadlyCompassion]

having many tangs Ive seen this a couple of times and it appears they are cleaning each others' mouths. There was no damage with this behavior, but they appeared to be picking opposed to kissing

Kissing gouramis don't actually kiss either, it's just shoving with mouths. I'm not sure of any animals that properly kiss, other than us, though some birds do nibble at each other's faces in a way that's pretty close.

I know it isn't "kissing"... lol. I just think it is easier and simpler for others to understand if I say that.