ive just had a new tank its around 30 gallon, the gravel is covering all the bottom in the day time, and when i wake up in the morning the gravel is piled up all at one side almost to the top of the tank theres only one fish in there, its a fairly big parrot fish.
Why is this happening ?
. But seriously, thats whats happening. The parrot will pick up a mouthful at a time, spit it out, and go back and grab somemore. Some do it more than others but it is def a common trait among cichlids (NW's anyway)Parrots are cichlids. Most cichlids like to rearrange the tank as they see fit. Thats why the gravel is ending up in piles because he/she prob thinks it looks better
Yep, spot on.
Parrots are cichlids. Most cichlids like to rearrange the tank as they see fit. Thats why the gravel is ending up in piles because he/she prob thinks it looks better
I've had cichlids that were mean to other people but not to me and I could do anything to the tank without any fuss. With most of them, if I messed with their gravel they would try attacking my hands.
I had one particular labiatus (red devil) and when I would clean the tank I moved all the plants to one side. He was particular fond of one plant and it had to be EXACTLY in this one place. Well, I would move it and before I could vacuum there, he'd go get it and move it right back. We'd go back and forth 3 or 4 times until he'd get so mad he'd guard it and shake his body at me if I came close to it. He was a great fish.
It's their territory and they'll let you know when your decorating skills aren't good enough.
. But its prob his/her instincts. Cichlids will sometimes build mounds of substrate as if they were getting ready for breeding. If you don't have any caves or such in your tank then he/she is prob building a mounded corner so if he were to breed and eggs were layed, when the fry hatched, they would be shuffled over into this mounded area for cover. Thats prob what he/she is doing even though he/she might never breed, it's just nature telling him/her to be ready
