Can I put Cory fry in a gravel tank?

[Berksou]

Hello,

I lucky got a lot of baby Cory fry. They are now in a breeding net box hanging in my 37g tank. I have moved all the other fish that were in this tank (for other reasons) and now I am thinking to release these fry into the big tank.

I would like to remove the gravel I have so that it is easier for the fry to thrive. However I’m worried about crushing the cycle if I remove all the gravel. What’s you think?

The second option is to leave the gravel and then I’m afraid the fry will get stuck in it and not find food easily.

It is a dilemma. Please any help is appreciated.

 

[Alice B]

What kind of filter is on the tank?

 

[Berksou]

It’s an DIY HOB filter with sponge and bio rings.

 

[Alice B]

as long as you don't change your media, or wash it in water with chlorine, or do much of a water change, and you are reducing the fish population, removing the gravel should not send the tank into a cycle. I have a baby corydoras, they are very small and not a huge bioload.

 

[Berksou]

Perfect! Thank you. Ok will do then gravel removal.

 

[Byron]

Agree, change the substrate to fine smooth sand. You can use an aquarium sand (make sure it is inert, and avoid black or pure white always) or quality play sand. As you are in Canada, Home Depot and Lowe's both carry Quikrete Play Sand which I have been using for a decade. It comes in dark grey and the more common buff tone, either is fine; if you can get the dark grey, I prefer it but again either is quality safe sand.

Just so you know, the problems with gravel of any sort (meaning larger than fine sand) is primarily bacterial. Roughness is also an issue. Cories expect to filter feed, and the sand has to go through the delicate gill filaments, something gravel cannot do.

 

[Berksou]

Many thanks Byron for this proposition