SA cichlids don't like caves?
- Thread starter spiff44
- Start date
Pretty much as above. Cichlids, whatever the continent, are a very diverse group of fish from diverse habitats. There's no blanket rule of behavior that would define all cichlids or all from a particular continent. A lot will depend on the natural behavior or preferences of a particular type and some will depend on the specific circumstances of a tank. A species that wouldn't normally hide or use a cave might do so in the presence of a more aggressive fish, for example. Some will use caves if they're there, but be perfectly content without them, so it doesn't necessarily mean they need them. Some might use a cave or other structure for eggs or fry but not much otherwise... etc. etc.
I would be quite surprised if WC fish weren't at least a bit more receptive towards a cave than a cb one.
Apistos like caves. Pikes like caves and logs. Open water fish like severums, true parrots, chocolates, etc. don't tend to need them if they feel secure in their surroundings. My severums never go in caves or pots but they do spawn on the outside of them. It really just depends on the species, and how comfortable they are in their tank. Some species may feel more comfortable taking cover under branchy driftwood than a dark cave, for instance.
Agree 100 percent. Of all the species I currently keep that are strictly south american, only my pikes like caves.
Every cichlid I've kept appreciated caves as cover to some extent, even Oscars; if and when they get spooked by water changes, or different people looking into the tank.
My current GT likes to dart into cave like cover when spooked, but quickly re-emerges.
My current GT likes to dart into cave like cover when spooked, but quickly re-emerges.
Good points. Its a very low stress tank. The only aggression is between some kissing gourami. I have a giant root ball that is about 3x2ft, even the bigger fish like hiding underneath it sometimes. And plenty of hiding spots for everybody.
A lot of fish in the wild might take advantage of cover sometimes-- weeds and plants, overhanging branches, fallen logs, behind a big rock, etc., Might be for shade from strong sunlight, as a quiet spot out of a river's main current, to conceal themselves to stalk prey, or because it's where the little critters or small fish are that they feed on, etc. That's different from a species that would normally stay in a small enclosed space and doesn't mean you need to provide them caves.
In a tank, most species simply adapt to the circumstances in the tank. For example, if you feed floating foods, a lot of species that wouldn't normally feed at the surface just adapt to it. So, provide lots of cover and your fish might use it, keep an open tank and the same fish would be just as comfortable, maybe more so if they prefer open water to too much structure.
You'll also get fish that when you come into a room will duck for cover (if it's there) while others will come right out to the front of the tank. Different species-- or individuals-- can have their tendencies that way, but some of it just depends on how comfortable they are in the tank or how tame to you they've become.
Actually, in a large enough tank, with different zones and a community of species, it can be interesting how different species might tend to like (or claim) different zones in the tank.
In a tank, most species simply adapt to the circumstances in the tank. For example, if you feed floating foods, a lot of species that wouldn't normally feed at the surface just adapt to it. So, provide lots of cover and your fish might use it, keep an open tank and the same fish would be just as comfortable, maybe more so if they prefer open water to too much structure.
You'll also get fish that when you come into a room will duck for cover (if it's there) while others will come right out to the front of the tank. Different species-- or individuals-- can have their tendencies that way, but some of it just depends on how comfortable they are in the tank or how tame to you they've become.
Actually, in a large enough tank, with different zones and a community of species, it can be interesting how different species might tend to like (or claim) different zones in the tank.
That's exactly what happens.. for the most part.
I have 5 of the largest cichlid caves, but only the ones closer to the tank floor get used on a regular basis. That's why it was kinda disappointing to see new cichlid additions ignore them completely. The highest cave is at the top of my rock pile, about 3 ft off the floor.. very few fish swim through it.. none ever used it as its usual home. Its in a primo spot if something made it its home because food plumes go right over it during feeding time. I guess I need to move them down. Having plenty of other cover is probably a factor.
The majority of cichlids are bottom-oriented. Unless you are keeping cichlids that inhabit rock piles (ex. julies, calvus, comps, mbuna, etc) I doubt you will get much use out of caves placed high in the water column.
Apistogramma use caves, which is logical considering they live in leaf litter in nature. Most of the readily available Tanganyika cichlids claim a cave and hang out there. In general, new world cichlids seem to be the least likely to claim a specific area/cave IME unless they are defending a spawning location or are crowded.
I think the mobile territory of the new worlds versus the old world's claiming a territory is one major reason the two groups give such different fish keeping experiences in the aquarium. I can set up a Tanganyika tank and know more or less where each species will set up shop. With new worlds, I just try to setup a few spawning areas as far apart as possible and keep an eye on things.
Whew, I rambled on that!
Apistogramma use caves, which is logical considering they live in leaf litter in nature. Most of the readily available Tanganyika cichlids claim a cave and hang out there. In general, new world cichlids seem to be the least likely to claim a specific area/cave IME unless they are defending a spawning location or are crowded.
I think the mobile territory of the new worlds versus the old world's claiming a territory is one major reason the two groups give such different fish keeping experiences in the aquarium. I can set up a Tanganyika tank and know more or less where each species will set up shop. With new worlds, I just try to setup a few spawning areas as far apart as possible and keep an eye on things.
Whew, I rambled on that!
