HELP! Important cave question

[saganco]

Peaceful cichlid and probably tetra or barb tank:
We are assembling and creating the caves and tunnels today for immersion later today. My question is about size and direction of the caves (for hiding or spawning). So worded another way... when I'm in the front of the tank looking in - which way are they happiest with their cave (and preferably a direction where I can see inside the caves!)? One or two of the caves will be in a corner of the glass so they could possibly be seen in from either or both directions -- according to what you smart and experienced folks know.

The grown size of the largest fish will be no larger than 5". Which brings up the other question - what dimensions (roughly) should the spawning/hiding caves be overall?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for quick answers! :bowing:

 

[saganco]

I should add that I'm setting up the tank brand new and have NO fish in it yet, and when I do, I assume they will be around 1.5-2" from the LFS but I don't want to rebuild the tank decor when they get bigger!

 

[Star_Rider]

depends on the peacful cichlids..some don't need or use caves.

 

[saganco]

Well at this point in time, I'm leaning in the direction of Rainbow cichlids, perhaps some larger Apisto's, maybe a T-Bar pair, Red Cockatoo Dwarfs, or Bolivian Rams (actually I would prefer a mix of several of these if my tank can handle it and they can get along - especially at breeding time).

Does this help with the answers?? :bowing: Thanks!

 

[Russy pelican]

As long as they feel secure in them, they should use them to spawn. The fish aren't spawning unless they feel secure anyway, of course. I can't imagine the direction of the opening making or breaking the deal. Unless it is in an extremly high traffic place like a retail store, in which case, just get convicts!

As for barbs/tetras, they scatter eggs anyway.

 

[saganco]

So if the cave opening is in a corner where the side and front come together - they'll be ok with that and not ignore the cave? I just think it would be MUCH more fun if we could see inside and watch the parents and the eggs/fry!

What about the size of the cave for fish that will max out at no more than 5" (of course they'll start their life in our little home at around 2". Any guidelines from anyone on the size of the cave needed!? PLEASE??

We're using plastic leftover containers and modifying them, then completely covering them in substrate gravel so it looks good in there. So I can use any size container that I need to.

Thanks again in advance Russy and everyone.

 

[rosita]

And what size is the tank? That will partially determine cave sizes--I've used rock so the caves can be altered as they grow. . . also, I've found my cichlids, African and SA, tend to prefer a cave or nook that is not too large--yet not so small they are touching sides, just enough play to move--imagine you're one, in the cave, and want to get out fast. Sounds like it'll be really neat looking. . . . make sure you post pix. . . .

 

[Dan the Moose]

i used to have a cave in my 10 gallon i created with a large peice of rock that had a hole in the middle of it, then i leaned into the corner (oh, it was also triangular shaped) that created a "cave" or cavern, and the neon tetra school i had would inhabit that quite frequently, at least until i put some live plants, now its for my cory, and when the light is on, my snail.

 

[saganco]

Oops! Good catch Rosita! I thought I posted that in my first post, but forgot (duh!). The tank is a 65g with a 36x18 footprint, 24 high. So how would you make a "flexibly expanding" cave that can "grow with the fish" without having to do a major tear down of the tank to change it. And yes, I will post in a new thread the entire DIY project - back wall (rock slabs and sand "grout"), caves and tunnels, and other goodies. It's turning into a lifelong project though...

I'm still open to ideas on the size and orientation (if it doesn't matter as Russy indicated). Just want them to have a nice "honeymoon/nursery" place and I would like to watch (voyeur that I seem to be with fish :joke: ).