Position of the coconut shell

[Dan89]

Guys, I have a stupid question for you

I'm planning the layout of my Rio 125 which will host Tetras, Otociclus, a couple of Apistogramma and maybe Cory. I'm trying to figure out where to place the coconut in order to make it safe for the breeding fish and, at the same time, hide it from the frontal view of the tank (I don't like it very much, even with plants on it)

I was thinking about placing it in a corner, and surrounding it with a bush of Limnophila Sessiliflora (see attach.). Do you think the fish would like this arrangement? My concern is that since the shell would (In theory) be pretty well isolated from the rest of the tank, the apisto will barely see it...

 

[Phile]

You don't have to use a coconut shell. Many people do just out of convenience. You can build a perfectly acceptable cave out of rocks, Flat shale type rocks are very good for this, you just have to keep the opening small. The cats shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially if you keep to smaller ones. The tetras may be though.

 

[Dan89]

Hi Phile,

i think the coconut shell would be fine for me, it allows me to add a cave without modyfing too much the layout of the aquarium It is also quite space saving!

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
A back corner is good if you have the back and end of the tank covered. You really want 3 or 4 caves to give the female a choice, she might like a different one from the one you think she will like. If you have a enough plants and structure for the fish to be truly happy, you should be able to hide the coconut caves fairly easily in the tank.

You don't have to worry about the female finding the cave that isn't a problem.

cheers Darrel

 

[chris1805]

If you have some devilish female like my Apistogramma Eremnopyge female is, she always knows were to find her male to kick his ass when she is in breeding mode. Even in the most jungle tank, she knows where to find him. You never have to worry about the female not finding the coconut

 

[Mike Wise]

And remember ... a community tank is not a breeding tank. A brooding female can cause problems with other members of the community and visa verse.