African Chiclids Question?

N

newgirl40

Registered Member
Mar 6, 2008
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I have a 55 gallon with 5 African Chiclids in it.
Why are they moving my rocks to one side of the tank?
I put them back level, and the next morning they have done it again!
They take rocks from the middle and push them to the side!

Thanks
 
Many cichlids, particularly oscars move rocks and plant around the tank. Some do it to establish territorial rights or to make a spawning area. I have two large oscars that constantly dig and move stuff around. I cannot keep plastic plants planted for more than a couple of days at a time. I have one large decorative rock that must weigh over 10 pounds and I've seen them try and even move that one. I wouldn't worry about it. What type of cichlids do you have and how big are they?
Welcome to AC.
 
I agree with Chip. My dad used to dislike the Malawis due to this behavior.lol I told him it's only natural for them to do that. Of course, you need to make sure the rock structure is stabilized as rock stockpiles can be very disastrous when dislodged by the fish.
 
They love to redecorate. I have some bright blue gravel in my tank that I used to seed it when I was cycling. I stashed it in the back behind my rock structure so it wouldn't be noticed. My mbuna love to find those pieces of gravel and bring them to the front for everyone to see. It's hilarious.

What kind of africans do you have? If you have mbuna you may want to up your numbers a bit to spread out the aggression. Do you have any sand in your tank? they may be more likely to leave gravel alone if they have some sand to sift, it's up to you of course. They will move sand around just as much but it isn't as noticeable.
 
They like to rearrange the furniture to suit themselves. If they find a cave they like, they may enlarge it by moving rocks and gravel.

Large structures of rock you may want to silicone into place.

(NB - it's cichlid, not chiclid) Pron. Sick-lid.
 
I remember when I first got mine and after a couple of weeks I came downstairs to see two large viking burial mound type formations in the front of the tank. They tend to do it a little less after they settle in, but anytime I stir up my gravel when vaccing/wcing etc. they go right to work to get it back the way they like it, as Karl says enlarging caves and swim paths etc. Part of the charm :)
 
Ironically, if you give them enough rocks too large for them to move they'll tend to leave the gravel alone. Malawi cichlids love big rockpiles, where the males can establish territories and try to attract females to spawn.
 
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