mating or fighting?

Question
Hi Ron,

I have a 55 gallon tank with 2 Polleni's, 3 Yellow Labs and 2 Hap 44's.  The yellow labs get along great,the polleni's (I think one male & one female) tend to stay away from each other.  The Hap 44's I'm pretty sure are male & female.  The male seems to be one of the dominant fish in the tank, when ever the female comes out (she spends a lot of time hiding) he chases her around.  Sometimes he swims up beside her and shakes his whole body.  Lately the female has been coming out and rubbing against him.  This lasts for about 20 seconds and then he chases her all over the tank until she hides again.  Are they fighting or trying to mate?  I feel bad for her because she's always hiding.  There is lots of structure in the tank, caves, rocks and plants.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Candace,
  The shaking thing is definitely courtship by the male.  They are mouthbrooders so keep an eye on her to see if she starts carrying a mouthful of eggs.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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