I have to admit, the pond has many defined areas. It has 6 off 8" diameter pvc pipes of 1 to 2 ft length although only the cichlids use these as areas to retreat to. It has 3 areas of either 2ft square rock surface cover or tree stump cover which most fish can get under (including the gourami) and of course it has the entire outer edge the whole way round with a double liner which now had 3 distinct openings/entrances but only appears to be used by the wykii, although I would not really class any of the other cats I have in there as "hiding place" catfish. Most argue over a defined territory which is more a space from and to a rock rather than under it, like the pims and the sperata. Then there are those like the Red tail and vulture who just don't care about territory and go where they want and don't own any particular space.
I often thought about whether an empty space would create less arguments or more and my initial thoughts were that nowhere to fight over might be better, but after a number of years now, I really do think that having these areas in my case really helps. The pond is an enclosed space and I think for me it allows them some security of ownership which calms the aggression and helps define the hierarchy and pecking order. ALbeit , I end up having to put 10kg rocks back up when folks do fall out or the Red tail swishes a tail too enthusiastically.
Would it work for you? Maybe, but it would be highly impractical, just like my 2" deep gravel bottom, solely there for the two giraffes to completely move from one end of the pond to the other every night searching for any missed sturgeon pellets.
Good luck though if it rather when you do try moving it to the pond.
