Do you add cover like rocks or PVC tubes to the fish tank?

[Tom OBrien]

I know people sometimes add pots, rocks, or PVC tubes to provide structure or cover for crayfish or in tilapia breeding tanks. Is it beneficial to add cover to fish tanks for trout or other fish?

[Jay Wolf]

Not really.  I have grown lake trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  None of these fish needed cover.  Obviously when the lights clicked on, they spooked.  So we didn't have the tanks full to the top.

Jay

[Tom OBrien]

OK, maybe I'm overly worried. My tanks aren't real big, so I was wondering if some cover might reduce the "flight risk". I've covered the tank with a makeshift cover, but I've had a couple fish find gaps around the plumbing.