Help! My pictus cat is going beserk

[Die Putzfrau]

I got a new pictus cat a couple days ago, and it's just going beserk. I know they're nocturnal fish and that they need a place to hide during the day. I am assuming that it's eating since all the chunks of meat I put in the tank are gone overnight. My tank lacks hiding spots and caves so the pictus is frantically swimming around the tank trying to find shelter during the day. I just dug a little opening in the gravel around a hollow ornament creating a cave. I'm not sure if my pictus will hide out there. If it doesn't does anyone have any ideas on how I can make it feel more comfortable?

[Raskolnikov]

You can get a length of PVC pipe for it to hide in.

[StreetCypher]

PVC like suggested works great, clay pots, driftwood for cover, large rocks will all make it feel more secure. Pictus are also naturally quite active fish, often cruising the bottom of the tank (when they're not swimming vertically against the glass).

[Vyper]

You can also buy orniments that basically are caves. For example take a look at some of the range on this site i use.

http://www.aquatics-online.net/listsections.asp?parent=145&seq=265#product952

Even if you live outside the UK I'm sure you'lll be able to get something similar at your local LFS ??????

[Die Putzfrau]

Thanks for the ideas, I've already made a little cave for my pictus and it seems to like it. My severum tries to intrude on its lair, but my cat always gets a little agitated and pushes it out. I'll probably add a pvc pipe and a couple other hiding spots.

[gsk177]

Anyone know of a US dealer on Simlastone?

[Nuriel]

those caves are fresh, look similer to the reptile cave i gave to my brown knife as a home. i wonder if it is the same material.