Making themselves at home: Have you intentionally done anything in your aquarium to enhance the natural behavior of your fish?

Have you intentionally done anything in your aquarium to enhance the natural behavior of your fish?

  • I planned my tank to encourage natural fish behavior.

    Votes: 32 24.4%
  • I did some things to encourage natural fish behavior.

    Votes: 43 32.8%
  • Anything that encourages natural fish behavior was a byproduct of the aquascaping.

    Votes: 27 20.6%
  • I did not do anything to encourage natural fish behavior.

    Votes: 25 19.1%
  • Other.

    Votes: 4 3.1%

  • Total voters
    131

Peace River

Thrive Master
View Badges
Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
21,751
Reaction score
165,696
Location
USA
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Making themselves at home: Have you intentionally done anything in your aquarium to enhance the natural behavior of your fish?

There are lots of reasons to add fish to your tank including their stunning beauty, their practical utility, and much more. Of course, the fish need reasonable water quality, however there is a difference between providing for their basic needs and trying to simulate their natural environment. Some aquarium hobbyists go so far as to set up a biotope aquarium to replicate a natural ecosystem, however it is also possible to take intermediate steps that promote comfortable space for the fish. Some fish are swimmers, some like caves and/or arches, some prefer varying types of flow or lighting, some interact with the sand in their natural environment, and so on. Have you intentionally done anything in your aquarium to enhance the natural behavior of your fish? Please let us know what steps you have taken!

MarounC_Fish.jpeg

Photo by @maroun.c


This QOTD is sponsored by Nutramar: https://www.qualitymarine.com/nutramar/

NutramarBanner.png


“Nutramar’s 100% natural food products are used by public aquaria and breeders around the world. They offer superior nutrition to your most finicky and delicate fish and invertebrates.
 

KrisReef

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
May 15, 2018
Messages
15,405
Reaction score
31,637
Location
ADX Florence
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a tank filled with bubble tip anemones, but my designer clownfish ignore them. Is that because they are tank raised or because they want a different kind of anemone?

I try to keep them all fed well and hope that they will feel comfortable enough and be happy not being in their natural habitat. I don't expect them to act natural, they are stuck in an aquarium. They rush to me at feeding time.

On point, I did try to give them a natural daylight period, but its an LED fixture, not the sun.
 

MattPLaw

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 2, 2024
Messages
122
Reaction score
98
Location
Atlanta
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Mostly I try to stock only what would be comfortable in my tank. Trying to avoid things with special needs that I cannot satisfy.
 

cnaegler

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
45
Reaction score
3
Location
Sylva
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm starting a 350 gallon SPS tank. I've been working on the aquascape to, both, accommodate SPS and give fish somewhere to hide and feel comfortable. I've been building it with quite a few overhangs.
 

shakacuz

hang loose, cuz
View Badges
Joined
Aug 7, 2021
Messages
10,414
Reaction score
38,982
Location
Eastern PA
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
i try to replicate as mixed reef as much as possible. alternating flow, lighting, etc (without too much variations)
 

ChrisfromBrick

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 29, 2024
Messages
1,112
Reaction score
1,386
Location
Brick, NJ
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
seed my liverock with pods and phyto for my mandarin. Kessil A360x for more of a sunlight effect. Caves for territories.

On the contrary, I am removing the clown's carpet anemone that I inherited because its too dangerous to my coral. It keeps moving and making me nervous. Not sure why anyone in their right mind would put a Haddoni in a 3 foot long tank.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHEN CONSIDERING BUYING A NEW FISH, WHAT FACTOR IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

  • Compatibility with other members of the tank.

    Votes: 16 28.1%
  • Compatibility with the environment & size of the tank.

    Votes: 18 31.6%
  • Feasibility of care & nutritional needs.

    Votes: 5 8.8%
  • Temperament & common personality traits.

    Votes: 2 3.5%
  • Common health issues & survival rates.

    Votes: 3 5.3%
  • Roles & benefits offered to the reef.

    Votes: 9 15.8%
  • Appearance & coloration.

    Votes: 3 5.3%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 1 1.8%
Back
Top