small cave dwelling fish?

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2brown347

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Oct 18, 2009
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Does anyone know any small fish that are cave dwellers? I'm setting up a 55 tank for my sister and I'm going to make it really cave heavy so I'm trying to think of fish that would use those caves and can't really except for african cichlids (and I don't really think they'd be a good choice).

Any suggestions help, I'm thinking under 3" fish. Thanks.
 
All fish will enjoy caves but the only cave dwelers I can think of are african cichlids. I am assuming this is her first tank, thats why africans would not be a good choice?
 
It'll be her second tank (but her first being just a betta) so basically thats why. Maybe it's lack of faith in her but I think something less agressive that could be in small numbers would be a better choice.
 
Define "cave dweller". Certain groups of Astyanax mexicanus (or Astyanax jordani, not sure which is actually sold in the trade) actually dwell in underwater caves, hence why those populations are referred to as blind tetras...they have no eyes.

Lots of fish enjoy resting in nooks and crannies if that is what you mean, but I'd say most africans (a VERY broad group) spend just as much time in the open if not more.

Pretty much anything that spends a lot of time on the bottom will take to caves every once and a while.
 
Kribensis are a rather shy fish and spend alot of time in caves and behind shelter, at least mine always did and so do their babies that I gave to a few friends. Also alot of plecos like to hang out in caves. Kribs are also very corlorful, especially with darker substrates.
 
2brown347 said:
I'm talking about something that will set up a cave as it's territory and spend a good portion of its time in it. Just like the shell dwellers that were mentioned.
Click to expand...

Ok, that's kind of what I figured but wasn't sure.

A lot of the fish mentioned are good choices.

Dwarf cichlids (rams, apistos, kribs), plecos...

I wouldn't necessarily define shell dwellers as cave dwellers since they'll spend 90% of the time hanging out above their shell pit IME. Other tangs will stick pretty close to caves...in my experience Julidochromis spend most of their time within the rockwork.
 
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