Females in free caves ?

kasper · Post by **kasper** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 7:42 pm

Hi

I've got 2 zebras I think is females, but they sometimes hide during the day in caves.

Question:

Do females hide in caves (no male inside)? or are these fish males ?

What's your experience with this ?

Thx
Kasper

McEve · Post by **McEve** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 7:57 pm

Females will hide in caves not occupied by males. That's one of the reasons why you shouldn't put more breeding caves than males in the tank. Forcing the females out in the open to seek shelter with the males

Mind you, there should always be some kind of shelter for the females as well. So the answer to your question is, IMO, yes - they can hide in caves, but won't be as possesive about it as males.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:24 pm

I have noticed that "spare" caves that are not occupied by a male can be taken by females and or juveniles. They do not as McEve says tend to be as protective over the cave as a dominant male would be. Personally I would provide as many caves as you have males and provide cover as you see fit for the females.

Shell231 · Post by **Shell231** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:04 pm

So say i had 2 male and 5 females, i would have 4 caves? for instence or is it totally up to me?

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:15 am

Shell,

I wouldn't provide extra caves for the females. Just two caves for the males and some other form of cover for the females such as slate/drift wood. You may even want to provide only one cave so that a dominat male can be established.