At first, I never liked African cichlids because many of them gave off this "original fish look from the wild." But after thoroughly searching and looking at many other colorful Africans, I decided that it can be a possibility in one of the many choices I have. The only issue i see is that I DONT LIKE ROCKS. I usually like a plain tank with a large pleco and a couple cichlids. Maybe here and there I throw in driftwood, couple ornaments, but thats about it. I noticed that all tanks with africans have several caves/rocks/plants. I know its not 100% necessary, but would it be considered "weird" not to have caves/rocks with these fish?
rocks necessary for africans?
- Thread starter Ali1
- Start date
Maybe not "weird", but "unique". Africans, by nature, are territorial and aggressive. Having no territories would put them out of their element, so I don't know what would happen...
I've contemplated putting some africans in a bare tank and seeing what happens.
Also, are you thinking about rift Africans, or riverine?
I've contemplated putting some africans in a bare tank and seeing what happens.
Also, are you thinking about rift Africans, or riverine?
Depends on the type of Africans you keep. Peacocks are open space swimmers and really don't need rocks. Psuedo's (sp) on the other hand live rocky area of the lake.
But we need more information on what kind of Africans you are looking at and from which lakes or stream.
But we need more information on what kind of Africans you are looking at and from which lakes or stream.
You have a variety of options if you are open to suggestion. Even the more aggressive rock dwellin africans can be kept in a barebottome tank, but it becomes important to monitor aggressivenes and stocking levels.
They don't NEED rocks, but as a hobbyist you should try to find fish that you can keep while keeping them comfortably. So if you find that the type you want do well with rocks but don't want to supply rocks, skip them or try to find an alternative solution. Ultimately though I think the way to get the best looks/ health/ and longevity out of your fish would be to imitate their natural habitat. Best of luck, Africans are a great group of fish to own. Mouthbrooding is mind-blowing.
I'd stay away from Mbuna and go for the lgr. Haps. Like Champsochromis caeruleus which is an open water African. The Fossorochromis rostartus is a bad-ars fish that don't need caves. Or you can go with any of the Nimbochromis and/or the Protomelas. That's only a few there's tons of options.
like always say,,,read a book about A.Cichlids before starting, in long run you'll save money and you wont stress-out your self and the fish.....99999999.9% of African Cichlid's do like rocks...good-luckAli1;3024302; said:
i think you should start with S/C Cichlids before touching A.Cichlid's...X2 if you don't like rocks, Cichlids are probably not right for youCichlidsRool;3027156; said:like always say,,,read a book about A.Cichlids before starting, in long run you'll save money and you wont stress-out your self and the fish.....99999999.9% of African Cichlid's do like rocks...good-luck
what about the shell dwellers? you could start of with some of those... also driftwood and some plants make suitable hiding places as well as other types of decorations!! Mbuna's especially do love the rocks but the will dig in the substrate and make pits for themselves as hidouts... my male red zebra did this a while back when he was in an isolation tank without rock structure he dug and hid behind the sponge filter whick he seemed to like, he also carries around a plastic plant in his mouth for shelter lol I love african cichlids they have such personality!! but then again so do the south american types!!