Grow out tank question

[CharlieTuna]

I recently set up a 29g grow out tank for a bunch of juvenile Mbuna I purchased from my favorite LFS. I do not have structure in the tank. The fish seem very skittish though they are slowly getting used to me being around, the tank is sitting on my home office desk

My question, should I put some rocks in this tank so these little guys feel at home? I did not plan on doing any decorating on this tank since it is a temporary home and I'm going to have to net fish out of it (I will use it for quarantine when the current fish are big enough for my 210g).

 

[Alton]

I use a 29 gallon tank as a grow out tank myself. First questions are how many juvies? What size are they now? How big before you will move them? I will admit Mbuna are not my best area. But I grow out lots of Aulonocara fry.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

I would put in at least some rock to keep the fish comfortable. I used to not keep any rocks or anything in my quarantine tank but I noticed that the fish in there always seemed to be more skittish. IME the rock doesn't even need to create great hiding places, just at least provide something for the fish to be near and get behind when you approach the tank at first. The actual amount of rock I would suggest would be dependent on the number of juvies.

Also, if you plan to keep this as a grow out tank for fry once this round of juvies grow up, then you will probably want rocks to protect the newer fry the little bit bigger fry. I know people who keep bare grow out tanks for the younger babies and get surprised sometimes when brand new fry get eaten by others.

 

[Mokujin22]

Sight breaks and hiding places are good for cichlids of all sizes.

 

[CharlieTuna]

I have about 20 fish in it, most of them 1/2 to 3/4". A couple of really small guys that I found in the sump of my big tank.

I will take the advice of all and pickup some rocks.