In nature most cichlids defend an area of between 4ft x 4 ft x 4ft to 6 x 6 x 6.
And though depth isn't quite that important, foot print is. So even a 220 gallon, is small compared to the kind of territory a mature alpha cichlid holds in nature.
With my festae in a 6 ft tank, I always provided a divided section where the females could get thru and escape a dominant male, but would block the passage of that male. Although not aesthetically pleasing, I found it was the only way to keep females from being killed, or stressed into disease.
The female in the pic above and below is about 5".
And though depth isn't quite that important, foot print is. So even a 220 gallon, is small compared to the kind of territory a mature alpha cichlid holds in nature.
With my festae in a 6 ft tank, I always provided a divided section where the females could get thru and escape a dominant male, but would block the passage of that male. Although not aesthetically pleasing, I found it was the only way to keep females from being killed, or stressed into disease.
The female in the pic above and below is about 5".
