Mbuna ROCK MOVERS

[Not NEW Not OLD]

I know the Mbuna will move the gravel and redecorate. But does it mean anything, eg breeding territory marking that sort of stuff. I had to reset three small caves and the gravel in the tank becuase they dug so deep the three pieces began to fall on each other (maybe the fish could get a job in the demo business.) and i was worried the blue and orange zeb would get crushed. after i reset the stones an hour later i caught them moving the gravel again. any thoughts please
Thanks in advance
NNNO

[sailor]

Not a lot you can do about them constanly moving gravel or sand.....most of them do it to prepare a hide in their territory and breeding site. I have never had a collapse which resulted in the death of a fish, but they have collapsed smaller cave systems etc. Thats why I tend to use either big rocks which are very well stabalized and resting on the glass supported by sand all around or in some cases realistic fake decorations which don't weigh all that much.

[Northernguy]

I think all cichlids enjoy digging! I have a large pile up on the glass daily from my oscars.

[Not NEW Not OLD]

thanks guys i appreciate the information.
NNNO

[hari-goshi]

Eggcrate (sold in the lighting section of most hardware stores) works great for stabilizing heavy rock structures and it softens the blow of any rocks that fall and hit the bottom. Mbuna are notorious for this behavior and its worth checking into the eggcrate if you have rock structures that could potentially become unstable from digging.

[FishyPastor]

I use a small plastic container, that is used to sell bettas, to put aquarium salt in for my 55 gallon. One of my Mbunas moved the whole container clear to the other side of the tank.:ssmile:

[bocrayfish]

wo realy:0

[hari-goshi]

Just cut the eggcrate to fit the bottom of your tank. It should be laid first against the bottom glass. You can put enough substrate around the eggcrate to hide it , but not enough to where your rockwork isnt still resting on the eggcrate. It will help distribute the weight of the rock evenly and the mbunas will be able to dig freely without comprimising the stability of your rock structure.