Decorating Pred Haps/Freddy Tank

[BillyBlanco]

Hi, ive had my tank going for awhile now. it has a Livingstonii, Venustus, Fusco, VC-10, D. Compressiceps, Electric Blue, Parachromis Friedrichsthalii. I kind of have it set up with random plants, rocks, caves. I know most haps like open water and dont want all of these things, but what does the freddy want? ive noticed when he is resting he likes to be in the floating branches at the top of the tank. none of them seem to like caves.

looking for suggestions, that will make them happier, and also if mostly open water is what they want then it would save a lot of tank maintenance.

i also had a salvini in with them, i still have him but he is in a time out in my RD's tank, learning what it feels like to be picked on...lol the red devil doesnt hurt him much, and if he does ill take him out, just seems to chase him and keep him in a corner. im seeing if it will calm him down. plus he's bigger than the fish in other tank but i think he is about full grown. i want them to get some size on them so its less likley he will beat them to death. if not its back to the fish store for him. this really isnt part of my question, just saying i have one and there is a possibility one day the tank will need to fit his environmental needs as well.

 

[Brian_Indiana]

I would advise against a Freddy in an African tank. I can't see how that doesn't end very badly. They both like hard water, but that is too risky for me based on behavior, size, aggression levels, etc.

I would never put any of my Africans in with my Flowerhorn. Now my FH is 11", but I wouldn't put them in with my brother's 4" female either.

There are Clown Loach in my Malawi tank, but I would not mix Africans with SA or CA cichlids...especially not the more aggressive ones.