How many/what size hiding places ?

[Alan Silver]

Hello,

After reading a lot about the importance of providing shelter for Malawi
cichlids, I'm still left unsure as to how much hiding space and what
size is necessary.

If I provide a big pile of rocks in the tank, then there will be cracks
between the rocks. How do I know if these are big enough ? Also, the
cracks are all going to be connected once they swim behind the rocks.
Will this be a problem ? How do I know if I have enough cracks and
crevices ?

TIA

--
Alan Silver

[Zimm44]

a big pile of rocks is definitely enough. how many gallons is your tank? are
the rocks circular or smooth? are there a lot of uneven surfaces and grooves in
the rocks, holes? the more of this the better. connecting behind isn't a
problem as long as there is a nice little web of holes for them to swim in and
out of.

[Mephistopheles]

Alan Silver
> wrote
in :

> Hello,
>
> After reading a lot about the importance of providing shelter for
> Malawi cichlids, I'm still left unsure as to how much hiding space and
> what size is necessary.
>
> If I provide a big pile of rocks in the tank, then there will be
> cracks between the rocks. How do I know if these are big enough ?
> Also, the cracks are all going to be connected once they swim behind
> the rocks. Will this be a problem ? How do I know if I have enough
> cracks and crevices ?
>
> TIA
>

To clarify, rock piles are not recommended for all Malawi cichlids --
only for mbuna, or the rock-dwelling cichlids. Assuming you have mbuna,
if the tank is big enough, try to create multiple rock piles -- two or
three. This will help prevent the dominant fish from claiming
everything as his own territory. Also, try to pile the rocks as high up
the back of the tank as is safely feasible. In effect, this increases
the amount of territory in the tank for the fish. As for knowing
whether the cracks are big enough, just observe the fish to see if they
are using them. I usually find roughly spherical rocks about the size
of a softball or a bit bigger, work well.

Meph

[Alan Silver]

In article >, Zimm44
> writes
>a big pile of rocks is definitely enough. how many gallons is your tank? are
>the rocks circular or smooth? are there a lot of uneven surfaces and grooves in
>the rocks, holes? the more of this the better. connecting behind isn't a
>problem as long as there is a nice little web of holes for them to swim in and
>out of.

I haven't got the tank or rocks yet, so I can't answer definitely, but
the plan is a 24" cubed tank, which is about 220 litres. As for rocks, I
am still looking to decide what I like best. I will probably go for
either thick slate pieces, stacked up to provide spaces and cracks, or
round river rocks.

--
Alan Silver

[Alan Silver]

>To clarify, rock piles are not recommended for all Malawi cichlids --
>only for mbuna, or the rock-dwelling cichlids.

Sorry, should have mentioned that is was mbuna. Thanx.

> Assuming you have mbuna,
>if the tank is big enough, try to create multiple rock piles -- two or
>three. This will help prevent the dominant fish from claiming
>everything as his own territory.

Good idea. Might not be so easy in a 24" cube as I don't have the
length, but it could still be done. Might have one big pile in the back
corner and a couple of smaller piles towards the front.

> Also, try to pile the rocks as high up
>the back of the tank as is safely feasible. In effect, this increases
>the amount of territory in the tank for the fish.

I was intending to. That's one reason why I want to work out what is
right in advance as I will need to silicone the rocks together to create
a high pile, and that stops me from changing things around afterwards.

> As for knowing
>whether the cracks are big enough, just observe the fish to see if they
>are using them. I usually find roughly spherical rocks about the size
>of a softball or a bit bigger, work well.

Thanx

--
Alan Silver