![]() If the water parameters are unsuitable, your fish will become stressed and won’t thrive. Many cichlid species need very specific water conditions found in their natural habitat. Some rocks contain minerals that will gradually find their way into your fish tank water, potentially changing the pH and water hardness. What Type Of Rock Is That?!Īlso, you need to be sure just what kind of rocks you’ve picked up. Rocks found in local waterways or at the beach could have been tainted by agricultural and industrial pollutants. Those chemicals could leach out of the rock into your aquarium water, poisoning your entire collection of livestock. Well, depending on where you live, the rocks you find in your backyard could easily have absorbed harmful chemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides. To some extent, that’s true you can! However, you need to be sure that the stones you choose are safe and suitable for your aquarium. You might think you can save some cash by picking real rocks from your backyard or local park. Large species can easily dislodge lightweight ornaments, so bear that in mind and pick larger rocks. For example, a tiny fish won’t feel safe and secure in a huge rock cave.Ĭonversely, a big fish will get stressed if it can’t comfortably fit inside a cave. You must ensure that the caves you choose or build are the correct size for your fish. If the pantyhose gets snagged, that rough edge could harm your fish and needs smoothing before adding it to your tank. Top tip: To test rock surfaces and cave entrances, place a piece of pantyhose over your hand or fingers and run the nylon over the rock. However, it’s much easier to simply choose something that’s already silky smooth. Now, you can smooth out any sharp edges using a metal file or a rasp, provided you go slowly and carefully. The last thing you want is to have your cichlids rubbing against an abrasive surface whenever they enter a cave. So, you need to check EVERY DECORATION you add to your fish tank for sharp edges or rough surfaces that could injure your fish. Safety First!įish are very prone to injury from unsuitable tank decorations, especially species with trailing finnage. However, there are a few things to be aware of when selecting rocks and caves for your tank. ![]() You can choose either natural or artificial rocks for your cichlid tank either is fine. So, now that you know cichlids need rocks, how do you choose suitable caves and stones? The mom and her brood return to the cave between excursions. Once the eggs hatch, the male and female fish escort their tiny babies around the tank, defending them against other fish that get too close. The male Kribensis stands guard outside the cave entrance while his mate tends to the eggs inside. Many cichlid species, such as Kribensis, use caves when spawning. Having somewhere to hide prevents fish from being injured if a scrap breaks out and helps keep stress levels to a minimum, preventing disease outbreaks. ![]() Some fish species are quite shy and like to hide away, especially when larger fish spawn and aggression levels in the tank increase.Ĭaves and rocky overhangs make the perfect hideouts for these timid fish. For example, Mbuna African cichlids often pick a cave and defend it against other fish attempting to move in. Often, cichlids choose caves formed by rocks as their territory. This keeps stress and aggression to a minimum, as it stops individual fish from trying to defend the entire tank. ![]() So, if you provide the fish with caves and rocky outcrops, they will claim specific parts of the tank. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a community, but you must provide the fish with rocks and caves to accommodate their natural behaviors.Ĭichlids use rocks to mark out the boundaries of their territory. Most cichlid species kept in home fish tanks are very territorial. But do your cichlids really need rocks in their environment? Territory So, a display of aquarium rocks and caves looks great in your fish tank. Variable quality and a few users reported some rough surfaces.The cave is easy to clean and safe for use in fish tanks. The cave is designed to resemble a sunken piece of bark and blends beautifully with plantings and other decorations to create a realistic-looking feature in your tank. This large resin cave is ideal for use in tanks with large cichlids, such as Flowerhorns. ![]()
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