Dovii pair ripping up my plants
- Thread starter Algaethegeko
- Start date
Some species of Cichlid will do that arranging the substrate,ornaments, and plants for their liking.
First off, those are not true aquatic plants, and while they may look ok for now, will die and be bad for your tank in a short amount of time.
secondly, cichlids as a rule, are territorial. Large cichlids like dovii are especially so, to the point that they will rearrange things in their area to better view their territory, even if there are no other tankmates. On a scale of 1-10 of aggressively defending territory, dovii are an 11.
secondly, cichlids as a rule, are territorial. Large cichlids like dovii are especially so, to the point that they will rearrange things in their area to better view their territory, even if there are no other tankmates. On a scale of 1-10 of aggressively defending territory, dovii are an 11.
When cichlid pair up and make nests, they like to move things around. The larger they are, the more powerful and destructive they become. I keep large cichlid in my planted aquarium, but I keep single sex to avoid pairing. Smaller cichlid under 6 inch are fine and too weak to do damage, so I allow them to pair up and breed in my tank. Dovii are huge and powerful cichlid, and nest making pair can do great damage.
I grow Juncus outdoor. They are wetland plant that can tolerate wet feet. But I don't think they can survive fully submerged.
I grow Juncus outdoor. They are wetland plant that can tolerate wet feet. But I don't think they can survive fully submerged.
If you want a planted tank, dovii (or any Parachromis for that matter) is not a reasonable choice, unless your tank is over 300 gallons.
In large tanks most large cichlids that commonly uproot plants, don't bother.
But plants tend to hinder the dovii's clear view of its territory, and threats of danger (instinctual), and in a smaller space that view is critical.
I also keep cichlids with plants, but they are the type that in nature, use plants as cover near the substrate.
Dovii "would" use floating plants, or terrestrial plants with roots dangling in the water.
This allows them a clear side view of potential danger from territorial incursion, and the cover from above hides them from aerial attack, which are young dovii's primary predators. Again instinctual.
Terrestrial and floating plants also add the advantage of sponging up deleterious nutrients like nitrate (if there are enough of them).
In large tanks most large cichlids that commonly uproot plants, don't bother.
But plants tend to hinder the dovii's clear view of its territory, and threats of danger (instinctual), and in a smaller space that view is critical.
I also keep cichlids with plants, but they are the type that in nature, use plants as cover near the substrate.
Dovii "would" use floating plants, or terrestrial plants with roots dangling in the water.
This allows them a clear side view of potential danger from territorial incursion, and the cover from above hides them from aerial attack, which are young dovii's primary predators. Again instinctual.
Terrestrial and floating plants also add the advantage of sponging up deleterious nutrients like nitrate (if there are enough of them).
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I would ditch those. But if you can adjust to the look, crank up your lights for a longer period.
