Malawi tank decor

[DJRansome]

They only come to the top because they think you are going to feed them. Ignore them for 15 minutes and they will go about their business.

Mbuna like rocks and some peacocks are cave dwellers. But in general haps and peacocks don't need as many rocks as mbuna.

 

[markstrimaran]

Do they REALLY need a ton of rocks? Every african tank I see they are just at the top begging for food.

Mbuna Marcus on youtube has minimal deco in all of his african tanks and they seem fine.

Mbuna Marcus
Also has numerous tanks, which he can cull aggressive fish. All males of many varieties.
I am sure fry are born as alphas and betas, if you have a all male non dominant beta group. You can get away with less rock.
If you have a bunch of former stud males, and alphas with one female in with them, their going to rumble. Eventually one is going to die, or find a good hiding spot.

Just wondering!

 

[JoeBoxer]

View attachment 1196261

???

 

[markstrimaran]

Do they REALLY need a ton of rocks? Every african tank I see they are just at the top begging for food.

Mbuna Marcus on youtube has minimal deco in all of his african tanks and they seem fine.

I add my text, below Joe boxers.

 

[markstrimaran]

I kind of scrambled that reply. It is in the orange box.
Mbuna Marcus
Has numerous tanks, that he can hold aggressive fish in. The big show tank is also an all male, with haps, peacocks, and mbuna.
My adult fish were all together as fry in a minimal rocked, grow out tank. That was "overstocked" as soon as I put 4 one inch juveniles into my open aquarium. The alpha male quickly asserted his dictatorship. Driving the other three to the outer edges of the tank.
Which was not resolved until a line of sight barrier was put in with them.

 

[JoeBoxer]

I kind of scrambled that reply. It is in the orange box.
Mbuna Marcus
Has numerous tanks, that he can hold aggressive fish in. The big show tank is also an all male, with haps, peacocks, and mbuna.
My adult fish were all together as fry in a minimal rocked, grow out tank. That was "overstocked" as soon as I put 4 one inch juveniles into my open aquarium. The alpha male quickly asserted his dictatorship. Driving the other three to the outer edges of the tank.
Which was not resolved until a line of sight barrier was put in with them.

Okay I see it now! Okay good to know thanks for the info. I was always wondering that.