CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hey all, I have 6 Africans in my 100 gal (planning on getting more soon) but one end of my tank is sand...well I have excavators HAHA!! My Dempseys loved this part of the tank and they laid 2 batches of eggs here. (only 1 survivor)
Are my Africans trying to do the same or do they just like to dig??
Also.....there are not any "pairs" of like africans in the tank. all of them look different. could they be confused as well?
any input would be great!
Thanks Sabina

Well, it really depends on what types of Africans you've got in there. For the most part, Africans do tend to dig, breeding or not. Digging can be a sign that they are getting ready to breed, but a lot of Africans just dig compulsively.

FYI, you could probably put a lot more fish in that tank...

Oh I know about more fish in the tank!!!! They are a little too expensive for our budget right now but I do plan on adding quite a few more to the tank.
Thanks for the info on the digging. i really don't mind about them digging it makes for interesting entertainment!
I just remember my Dempseys and what they did and I was curious!
I have Mixed African Ciclids in the tank Don't know what kind by sight but I loved the colors. A little like salt water without the hassle!!!!
Thanks again Deepsea!
Sabina

hey kscollins, what made you do a African tank? On the African cichlids digging, the males dig the nests and the females hide.. So U dont' know what kind U have? Now thats not good. What if you want to spawn some? they wil inter breed if you are not careful regardless of the speices. Haps are bad for this. Also the egg spots on the bottom lower fins is a good clue on male and females. males have more to very distinct dots, female have none or not as distinct. blurry would be a better word for them. Just a heads up on trying to ID the sexes.. Barb

Hey Barb Long time no hear!
Haven't needed forums for quite a while but this digging thing had me curious and I always know where to turn.
Just for updates My Pleco you helped me with it doing wonderfully! you'd never know he doesn't have an eye!! He's in the same tank as the Africans.
Ok as far as type. I have a Yellow with a black stripe in its back fin
A muted blue and whitish vertical stripes. a pure white with red eyes. one that looks somewhat like a striped bass. and others that are hard to describe. maybe I'll try to take a picture of them and post it. They are all different no two are alike! All of them are digging and hanging out in the hole!
as far as WHY. we like the colors and the activity in the tank. We had oscars (all of which have died Except the albino which we gave to a friend) and the tank is so big that the number of fish I can put in is going to be great once we get more.
good to hear from you!
sabina