Cichlid Behavior in the Aquarium

[jimjim]

You know? Having the discussion with Willem Heijns in his thread about keeping cichlids alone or not, has reminded me why I keep these fish. I'd like to start a thread where people give their ideas of keeping their fish happy and entertained. For example getting certain fish to breed, keeping agression down(I paid to much for these fish to lose some). Giving them toys (I used to give my breeding Oscars Ping Pong Balls to fuss with so they'd not beat up on one another). How to decorate an aquarium to keep fish from being shy (feeling safe?). My baby Fronts I just got are already eating from my fingers and won't go to the front of the aquarium for my wife, kids, or grandkids. They've only been in there for about two weeks. Most people say fronts are dumb as rocks. It got me to wondering, what tricks the people here have learned to keep these intelligent fish from doing the "pacing in the cage" thing. What are your tips and tricks?......Jim

[Dan Woodland]

I simply give my fish as much room as I can, plenty of fresh water (twice daily water changes), good food, and duplicate as much of thier natural habitat as possible. For example, current, rocks, sand, plants etc.... As for toys I only supply dither fish like livebearers, tetras, or danios...

Dan

[Bas Pels]

I keep them in a large tank, and in groups. 11 Amphilophus rostratum in a 200 * 80 cm tank, with other fishes, will not have much to complain about, for now. They are only 7-11 cm, I would quess.

Bas

[jimjim]

Keeping fish for breeding and keeping fish for enjoying are two differant scenarios. My breeders were always kept in bare bottom tanks with (usually ) Hornwort , flower pots and rocks to give them something to hide behind to make them feel safe. I also fed them a small amount about 4 or 5 times a day instead of just once or twice. This gets them used to movement outside the tank and usualy they'll come to the front to see whos there. I believe doing this habituates them to thier little enviornment and keeps them happier (if fish feel happy). At least doing it this way I did'nt lose many of my breeders. How do all of you keep your breeders?....Jim

[Bas Pels]

Most of my fishes (I have 26 tanks) are in my garage or a seperater room (only 4 are not here) stil, I decorated all the tanks with the same idea: the fishes ought to feel save.

The tanks for raising fry are therefore decorated with a few stones and/or some wood, near the feeding spot. Thus the fry can eat from the shelter, which helps them growing. Quite a few plants are in the tanks, for savety and biological purposes.

All tanks with breeding pairs are decorated with rocks and wood, to form territories, and hiding places. If possible I have also a few plants (looks better, one plant more or less wil not do much biologically)

I think fish who dig need to have some digging, thus none of my tanks are bare bottomed. All are filled with 40-6 cm of sand. But contrarily to Jim Jim I do not think a difference excists between keeping fishes to breed and to enjoy them are different matters: I enjopy healthy fishes, and healthy fishes reproduce.

I do not feed 4 or 5 times a day small amounts, because I have al my fishes with 2, 3 4 or 5 other cichlid species (only the fry are seperated by se-pecies) and 1 or 2 catfishes. Always one species is the fastest at the feeding place, so I better feed large quantities. This can be done a few times a day.

However, the fish breed properly, but I fdo not intend to raise many fry, but I ointend to sell the best fry - all athers are used to feed fishes.

Therefore my views to keeping fishes appear to be guite distinct from Jim Jim's

Bas

[jimjim]

Bas Pels, You had a good idea that I'd had'nt thought of. By feeding close to the hiding places it would give the fry a secure feeling. Or, putting some good hiding places where you feed. On the differance on how we kept our fish, remember I was breeding for maximum fry, not just to look at. I kept my fish that I wanted for just viewing similar to you.l...thanks, Jim

[Bas Pels]

The reason I do not try top maximise fry, its that I am certain if I raise only a quarter of a 200 fry, I will end up with more fishes than can be sold. If this is different in the USA, those circumstances might be responsible.

Bas