Learning?

[GaryofMontreal]

I've posted before about my Pelvicachromis taeniatus Moliwe, but I think this in neat. I had a second pair, not breeding, in a 75 gallon community. It had coconut caves, and I expected they'd breed in them as have the dozens of pairs of this species I've had breed before. Sadly, a grumpy old Ancistrus male in the tank would invariably seize any cave the taenies chose, and they grew used to being evicted.
I gave them their own 15 gallon last week, with two caves, and no bristlenoses. They have now spawned in a homemade cave excavated under a rock. They know better than to try one of those comfy caves - although I have never had a pair of taenies turn down a coconut cave before. There's a culture of homelessness in that tank...

[vince0]

lol great story gary, maybe they just felt like the coconut shell just wasn't protective enough, especially if they were bullied by an ancistrus before

[mdfa.ca]

That is a cool story, Gary. Thanks for sharing it with us,

[CACAdmin]

Glad you found a way to get them to spawn, Gary. Fish are much smarter than we often give them credit for. They do seem to learn from experience. They probably now associate cocunut caves with eviction notices. :laugh: ... and can you honestly blame them?

[hp10BII]

It would probably throw them in a loop if you introduce another breeding pair and they claim the coconut cave without any trouble. Life just isn't fair... :confused:

[GaryofMontreal]

Nah, they'd view the new couple as fools. Then, since it's only a fifteen gallon and they're dwarf cichlids in breeding mode, they'd kill them.
Life used to be so simple...

[GaryofMontreal]

More learning - having scoped the layout and realized they were free of the Ancistrus, and that their spawn had failed, they have now moved into the cave and begun a major excavation project. The ramparts are across the door now - always a good sign.

[CACAdmin]

Another sign that they're smarter than we think. They've taken their time to observe the cave, noticed the absence of Ancistrus, and fell it's worth the time to excavate without fear of intruders. Keeping fingers crossed for a successful spawn.

[Very Scalare]

Maybe the have, just now after a grueling negotiation, succesfully agreed to a sublet agreement with the ancistrus!

[vince0]

the recession forced the ancistrus to look for more frugal living accomodations?

[amaruq]

Gary???

What can you tell me about the coconut caves? Does it change the water in any way? Do they break down?

[GaryofMontreal]

Coconut wood is really hard. I drill a small hole in a coconut to drain off the liquid, then I leave the nut for a few hours to dry internally (so the coconut inside retreats from the walls and is easier to remove). I saw it in half, clean it out and cut a small door. Some remove the exterior fibre - I don't but work some java moss into it.
I boil the thing, and have bred many dwarf cichlids (Apistos, Pelvicachromis, nanochromis and others), some killies, gobies, etc in them.
New ones will release a few tannins although nothing I could ever measure in terms of acidity. They do stain the water slightly for a few months, but I like that.
They do rot, but my last coconut cutting frenzy was ten years ago. I'm due again. I have one nest that is still intact after a solid 15 years. I could probably poke a finger through it, but it has taken that long.2180
This is a cave with a larger entrance than I would make for a dwarf. I was using it to breed Guianacara geayi. You can see the female inside. The actual cave in the photo was a few years old.

[amaruq]

Well that's really cool info Gary and I plan to use this as I have a few cave dwellers!

I bought the one cave from CAC and we have fights over who gets in it first!

I really like the natural aspect of it and not worried about Tannin as it's good for the fish :)

Thanks again for the info and explanation!