outlaw

Not sure if this should go here or the cichlid section. Posting here because I thought this could pertain to more then just cichlids.

We have a female Red Fin who seems to get picked on more then the others. She gets chased around and I think she is hitting some of the rocks in her escape. I have slate and there are some edges which I know are bad for fish in general. They are the only thing we have right now to use for cover and protection.

(Fish on left) You can kind of see one of the marks above her eye.


Current setup with 2.5Gal (I think) in there to separate her from rest of fish)


I was thinking of removing all the slate in the tank, but that wouldn't leave to many places for the fish to hide, especially the male Red Fin who really only fits in under the "tree stump" on the right side of the tank.

If I take the slate out until we can get bigger rounded rocks, should I put plants in? Currently don't have the budget to get drift wood and rocks. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
The Bully!

capekate

Hi Outlaw..
I see what you mean by the sharp edges on that slate in the tank. can you get a hold of some river rocks? you can make caves out of them as well and they would be more rounded edges and better for your fish?

outlaw

I want to but right now there is still some snow and the ground is really soft to get some from the late. Also the store is at minimum $2 a pound. That's why I was thinking of putting a bunch of plants in it for now. Would drift would be good for them? if anybody knows.

The other problem I think there is. The male Red Fin is quite large and using some of the river rocks I've seen look like he won't have any hiding spots other then the tree stump.

Thanks for the reply.

susitna-flower

Often you can get these river rocks from landscaping businesses...Might be a lot cheaper than a pet store, and you wouldn't have to wait....

outlaw

thanks, didn't even think of that.. if I were to get them from the landscaping business or the lake, I would still have to boil and test with vinegar, correct?

susitna-flower

Yes, and try to stay away from anything that looks like it might have a streak of a metal...like copper....I like quartz, and just plain old granite "river rock"

outlaw

Thanks, I will see if any of them are even open yet for the season.. It finally started getting warm here.

Do you (or anyone else) think it would be ok to use the slate as "bridge" material? Use 2 large rounded rocks, lay the slate across it, then put some smaller rounded (gravel) on top of that?

For now I have removed all the slate. The only thing in the tank is the tan/brown rock formation thing, "drift wood", and tree stump. All of which is plastic with no sharp corners. I have also put the female back with the rest of the mates as they all kept trying to get to her in the small tank. The Yellow Lab would even sit by the small tank at night.

outlaw

What about "marble chips". Basically it's broken up marble.