So your saying its okay for now, but when the get some good length and thickness...swap out the branches for more solid looking pieces? The fish aren't too skittish atm, but would hate to have them impale themselves cause I opened the door to quick lol. I could see Frontosa being a big no no with Manzanita. I will keep my eye open for some sort of stumps that I can fit through the top that I can place in the center to block line of sight for the future when they get some size.
Fake plants or no fake plants?
- Thread starter Wharf
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It's up to you, but if I use wood in tanks with larger fish, I generally go for larger pieces. If you are considering just keeping the Amph down the road, then as
stiker
pointed out, rocks & sand alone make a very natural setting for that species.
stiker
pointed out, rocks & sand alone make a very natural setting for that species.
I don’t have many full tank shots but here is one I had of it a while ago. I personally preferred the all rock work and sand over rock work, sand and driftwood .It's up to you, but if I use wood in tanks with larger fish, I generally go for larger pieces. If you are considering just keeping the Amph down the road, then as
All rock work and sand:
Rock work, sand and driftwood:
I know that people can say that “their fish were better, or acted better” in this situation or that and it’s a matter of perspective. To me the fish looked best in the setup that was closer to their natural environment which is why I changed it to the first setup. As others have stated Amphilophus get large and boisterous so it’s not just a case of they may get spooked and run into something which can damage them, as they are chasing you around the tank and bolting to “attack you through the glass” defending their territory that they can damage themselves.
with the photo I posted earlier of lake Xiloá, you can see that it is very open and there is minimal for the fish to run into and damage themselves as driftwood is minimal / non existent in the crater lakes of Nicaragua
Please excuse the photos. This aquarium hasn’t been setup for quite a few months now
1. Your tank looks great as is.
2. It’s your tank do what makes you happy!
If we’re just talking about aesthetics, fake plants are a matter of opinion as is all aquascaping. It would look great with them I’m sure but it also looks great now. Can’t hurt to put them in just to see how you like it, can always take them out.
2. It’s your tank do what makes you happy!
If we’re just talking about aesthetics, fake plants are a matter of opinion as is all aquascaping. It would look great with them I’m sure but it also looks great now. Can’t hurt to put them in just to see how you like it, can always take them out.
Heeded the warnings and suggestions from others and removed Manzanita. Didn't want fish-kebabs 
Found this root piece of driftwood. It is nice and aged weathered and had been in water a long time....was wanting opinions on position. It will be in the center.
It is definitely not as potentially lethal as the small manzanita branches. Do you like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
It is definitely not as potentially lethal as the small manzanita branches. Do you like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
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