lukep77 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Why do cichlids dig in sand? I have a black sand substrate, and I have noticed that a couple of the bigger fish are takeing the sand in their mouths and spitting it out close by. So why do they do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Think of it as interior decorating. They want their territory to be as comfortable as possible - well, more along the lines of as condusive to spawning as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharon Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 We have some Julies that have decided to build some mountains and have moved enough that you can see the bottom glass of the tank. The sand was 3" deep.^^^^______^^^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spcy Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Aren't they fun. Mine are always redecorating and when I go in and straighten up they get very upset. They want thier space to be th :bow: ier own LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ward Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 As Sharon said the Juli's took a perfectly level base and created rolling hills and my Brichardi have created a big hill around the shell that they use as a nursery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukep77 Posted November 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) So I did a little re decorating today and added a nice big teracota pot and acouple smaller ones, made some nice caves, I thought that that might make them a little more at home. So now my other question is how long before some of the couples in there start getting down to buisiness? Is there some thing I need to do or just keep them feed and warm. As for the digging they almost got through about 5 inches of sand, on one side of the tank. Edited November 7, 2006 by lukep77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 If we're talking Rift Lake Africans, then all you need is time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmguy Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 i find water changes seem to do the trick...and when i do water changes its useually a little warmer water (1 degree or 2 warmer than the tank)...and sit back and watch the males go nuts...........no pun intended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willfishguy Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 This one of the reasons why I spread a thin layer of silicone on the bottom of my tanks before I add a sprinkled on dry layer of prewashed sand, and let it sit like this for twenty four hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOSStile Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Which fish is digging? My money is on the powder blue. Didn't I mention the digging thingy to you when you got those fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharon Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I find they prefer to move the gravel or sand and leave a clean bottom area for the newly hatched fry. Our Julies and Brichardi do the same thing. Once the fry are free swimming the parents almost herd them into this area and remove any debri ( old food, feces, plant matter). I call it the nursery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go4Long Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 I've got a couple of fish that rearrange the gravel fairly regularly, two of them did it to the point where they actually pulled a bunch of the gravel out from under some of the slate...just glad it didn't collapse on the little daredevils... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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