Toys for Cichlids

[Serpentine]

So I decided to run an experiment to see if cichlids would play with toys. They're smart and I thought it might provide them with much needed enrichment.

I dropped in a small Holee Roller rubber ball designed for little dogs or cats into one tank. For the first day or so, nothing. Then I began to find the ball in different places around the tank, though I didn't see anyone playing with it. I did spot a sailfin plecostemus investigating it.

Then I caught the Uaru cichlids in the act. One was pushing it while the other three were gleefully pushing it back toward him. The pleco came over to see if what they were doing involved food, then let them go back to playing. This time it was two against two.

There's a floating ping pong ball that my blood parrot likes to bounce around too. I may experiment with other toys like seashells, Legos, etc.

If I can get close enough without disturbing them I would really like to get video.

Does anyone else have fish that enjoy playing with toys? What do you use?

 

[Gourami Swami]

I have used a ping pong ball before, had an oscar that liked smacking it into the top of the tank. Cool that your uaru play with the ball, I do believe cichlids are smarter than most give them (or any fish) credit for.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Good toys for fish:
Large jacks,bouncy balls, ping pong balls,large hard floating lures with hooks removed,.
I've found crayfish like marbles when they are new, but not when old.

I also noticed bp play with a fake jellyfish decoration, dragging it around the tank.

 

[Reiner]

So I decided to run an experiment to see if cichlids would play with toys. They're smart and I thought it might provide them with much needed enrichment.

I dropped in a small Holee Roller rubber ball designed for little dogs or cats into one tank. For the first day or so, nothing. Then I began to find the ball in different places around the tank, though I didn't see anyone playing with it. I did spot a sailfin plecostemus investigating it.

Then I caught the Uaru cichlids in the act. One was pushing it while the other three were gleefully pushing it back toward him. The pleco came over to see if what they were doing involved food, then let them go back to playing. This time it was two against two.

There's a floating ping pong ball that my blood parrot likes to bounce around too. I may experiment with other toys like seashells, Legos, etc.

If I can get close enough without disturbing them I would really like to get video.

Does anyone else have fish that enjoy playing with toys? What do you use?

It will trip you the f.... out if they build something with legos

 

[Serpentine]

It will trip you the f.... out if they build something with legos

I had envisioned them mouthing, collecting and tossing the Legos around, but now that you mention it....

Those Uarus are quite intelligent and busy. Perhaps they will work cooperatively to build a trebuchet and launch themselves into the nano fish tank where all of the tasty shrimp, tiny schooling fish and lush aquatic plants a.k.a. salads are.