Do rainbow cichlids dig pits?

[njb235]

Hi I’ve had a rainbow cichlid for a few months now and he does sift through the sand from time to time but there’s now a big pit right where he likes to hang out and I was wondering if this is normal behaviour and what it means? Thanks

 

[A201]

When Cichlids suddenly start digging holes in the substrate it's usually a nest building behavior.

 

[njb235]

When Cichlids suddenly start digging holes in the substrate it's usually a nest building behavior.

That would make sense it has started to get a bit more territorial as well, it is the only cichlid in the tank though so would it build a nest anyway? And does the indicate what gender it is because I don’t know yet?

 

[A201]

Post a pic if possible. Some spieces of male Cichlids, especially Africans, will dig a nest just to attract a female.
Maybe the Rainbow is waiting for a potential mate to swim by. Lol.

 

[njb235]

This is the rainbow cichlid would anyone know if it’s male or female?

Post a pic if possible. Some spieces of male Cichlids, especially Africans, will dig a nest just to attract a female.
Maybe the Rainbow is waiting for a potential mate to swim by. Lol.

Sorry it’s a bad photo but there’s a pit under the arch of the wood that is deeper than it looks in the photo and has appeared over the last 2 days

 

[A201]

Just an educated guess, Male.
IMO, It has an elongated dorsal & analfin, traits consistent w/ males & more vibrant coloration than most female Rainbows I've seen.

 

[njb235]

Just an educated guess, Male.
IMO, It has an elongated dorsal & analfin, traits consistent w/ males & more vibrant coloration than most female Rainbows I've seen.

Thank you, that is what I was leaning towards thinking as well, any other thoughts why he may be digging?

 

[GlennO]

I'm in 2 minds about it's gender. Can you get a straight side on photo?

Thank you, that is what I was leaning towards thinking as well, any other thoughts why he may be digging?

It's feelin' frisky.

 

[A201]

There are numerous threads where solo male Wet Pets, such as Oscar's, Flowerhorns, Jack Dempseys, ect.
Dig holes in the substrate.
Some believe they dig due to boredom or mischief. Frankly, I believe it's a nesting instinct.

 

[FishDin]

Nice Rainbow. I kept mine with Cardinals too. I had a male and a female, but I can't tell what yours is.

 

[njb235]

I'm in 2 minds about it's gender. Can you get a straight side on photo?



It's feelin' frisky.

That’s about the best side photo I can get, I feel bad now like I should get it a partner but I’m worried in my tank size and stocking it would cause havoc if they bred

There are numerous threads where solo male Wet Pets, such as Oscar's, Flowerhorns, Jack Dempseys, ect.
Dig holes in the substrate.
Some believe they dig due to boredom or mischief. Frankly, I believe it's a nesting instinct.

Does that mean in your opinion it’s in breeding mode?

Nice Rainbow. I kept mine with Cardinals too. I had a male and a female, but I can't tell what yours is.

Thank you very much, did your rainbows breed? And if so how aggressive we’re they in that period?

 

[GlennO]

This was my pair. Non breeding colours. Similar finnage. The male was a bit brighter. When in spawning mode the male got brighter still and the female developed a black brood patch on her posterior flanks. The OP's fish is a bit of a combination re finnage & colour (body shape is somewhat suggestive of female).

 

[njb235]

This was my pair. Non breeding colours. Similar finnage. The male was a bit brighter. When in spawning mode the male got brighter still and the female developed a black brood patch on her posterior flanks. The OP's fish is a bit of a combination re finnage & colour (body shape is somewhat suggestive of female).

View attachment 801285

Your rainbows look amazing! I agree the body shape looks more like the female but the blue hue on the fins and body look like the male more no? Also what tank mates did you have them with?

 

[GlennO]

Your rainbows look amazing! I agree the body shape looks more like the female but the blue hue on the fins and body look like the male more no? Also what tank mates did you have them with?

Not certain just a guess at female. I had them in a tank by themselves when breeding and in between spawns I put them in my display tank that contains Rainbowfish and at that time a pair of Keyholes.

 

[njb235]

Not certain just a guess at female. I had them in a tank by themselves when breeding and in between spawns I put them in my display tank that contains Rainbowfish and at that time a pair of Keyholes.

I have been considering getting another rainbow when I’m get a 55g tank with some other cichlids I haven’t decided on yet, if mine did breed in there and I didn’t have a separate tank to move them to are they really aggressive when spawning? And what kind of cichlids do you think could work with them in a 4ft 55g tank?

 

[GlennO]

I have been considering getting another rainbow when I’m get a 55g tank with some other cichlids I haven’t decided on yet, if mine did breed in there and I didn’t have a separate tank to move them to are they really aggressive when spawning? And what kind of cichlids do you think could work with them in a 4ft 55g tank?

Not particularly aggressive but they are cichlids and will defend eggs and fry out to half of a 4 ft tank. It’s best not to have other cichlids in there once spawning progresses especially if you want to raise some fry. If you had to have others I’d suggest other Rainbows, they are reasonably sociable with others of their kind.

 

[njb235]

Not particularly aggressive but they are cichlids and will defend eggs and fry out to half of a 4 ft tank. It’s best not to have other cichlids in there once spawning progresses especially if you want to raise some fry. If you had to have others I’d suggest other Rainbows, they are reasonably sociable with others of their kind.

If I wanted to stick with the 1 rainbow in a 55 and have a few other individual species of Central American cichlids what would work eg 1 rainbow 1 firemouth 1 saijica

 

[fallfever]

Maybe. That is the standard answer with cichlids. Depends on individual personality. I've always kept multiple rainbows because I like the fish and find it horribly underrated. I've kept mine with angels, blood parrots, EBA's, keyholes and HRP's with no issues. Never tried with a firemouth, but it certainly could work. As an aside, a group of rainbows in a tank is quite an impressive sight.

 

[njb235]

Maybe. That is the standard answer with cichlids. Depends on individual personality. I've always kept multiple rainbows because I like the fish and find it horribly underrated. I've kept mine with angels, blood parrots, EBA's, keyholes and HRP's with no issues. Never tried with a firemouth, but it certainly could work. As an aside, a group of rainbows in a tank is quite an impressive sight.

For a 4ft tank what would you think about this stocking
4 rainbow cichlids
1 Honduran red point
1 electric blue acara
1 rainbow shark
1 purple spotted gudgeon
5 Synodontis lucipinnis

thanks

 

[GlennO]

For a 4ft tank what would you think about this stocking
4 rainbow cichlids
1 Honduran red point
1 electric blue acara
1 rainbow shark
1 purple spotted gudgeon
5 Synodontis lucipinnis

thanks

I think that's overstocked especially given multiple rainbows and the breeding activity that will result. You could try:

1 rainbow cichlid
1 Honduran red point
1 electric blue acara
1 rainbow shark

Purple spotted gudgeons grow large and can be aggressive. If you want a gudgeon I think Empire gudgeons would be a better choice in a 55 gal.

I know very little about Syno's so can't really comment on them.

 

[Azedenkae]

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=ichthynicar

Here we go. Rainbow cichlids dig pits in preparation for breeding. Same with a bunch of other american cichlids.

 

[njb235]

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=ichthynicar

Here we go. Rainbow cichlids dig pits in preparation for breeding. Same with a bunch of other american cichlids.

Ahh interesting thank you, breeding behaviour even though it’s the only cichlid i wonder why

 

[Azedenkae]

Ahh interesting thank you, breeding behaviour even though it’s the only cichlid i wonder why

The simple answer is, because it is a fish and like most animals fish are programmed to do certain things in their life, regardless of whether it seems illogical or otherwise. XD