What is happening with this lionfish?

[b-dog]

Does anyone know what is going on with this lionfish?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GMpTxkL7BM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[GillScales]

It's either a territorial dispute, or some sort of post Fukashima mating ritual.

 

[fisheater]

Looks a lot like cleaning, but the lionfish isn't all that cooperative.

 

[Stoo]

Or maybe dieing... It seems to have lost control. I've seen this in other species... Although it looks healthy enough.

 

[tracydr]

Kind of looks like its sick. Very pale, not swimming normally, fins look tattered.

 

[Mike]

It looks purely like a butterfly fish taking on a lionfish. By the way there are more than 1 lionfish in the video. The butterfly is too big for the lionfish to eat, so it's getting schooled.

 

[LowDrag]

I am going with the lionfish dying. The way he is not fighting back and swimming oddly. I have had fish tanks in the past and the lionfish is exhibiting movements like fish I have had that were on their last leg of life.

 

[Diver0001]

Bannerfish are very territorial. He appears to be challenging the lion fish, which doesn't seem to be taking the hint.

R..

 

[knotical]

+1 for territorial defense. The bannerfish keeps going for the lionfish' less protected rear and the lionfish keeps jerking away.

 

[b-dog]

That bannerfish is a bully.