Gravel For Cories

[barb-e]

I really want to get some panda cories for my tank.

This is a close up

And the whole tank

Is the size of the gravel okay for the cories barbels?

 

[fishboy619]

personaly i would say no, the gravels too big and sharp and the shells are much help. all the rest of your tank looks great tho, the plant pot castle and planst your cories will love. i suggest changing to sand or not getting any cories. there are plenty of topics about changing to sand so look them up to get help.

 

[Sibelius]

Unfortunately, I have to agree that I wouldn't ever put corys on your gravel. Sorry. I think a change to sand would do your tank good in all respect, plus you can grower a wider variety of live plants.

 

[ICEEGRL]

If you want to grow live plants, and are going to change your substrate for corys, I would do it all at once. Look into something that will be good for both. Do some research on both at the same time. In the longrun it will save you time and money.
I have decided to go for a mix of substrates for the plants with sand on top. There are tons of choices out there. You have to look around and check them out to find what will work best for what you want. If you plan to have something later, you should go ahead and set up for it now. That way you don't have to redo things again. So you should look around and see your choices then make a plan that will suit it all. I learned it the hard way.

 

[LisaLQ]

You could always get 2mm pea gravel (rounded gravel) if you dont like the idea of sand (pain in the bum to clean).

Contrary to popular belief, cories dont need sand - they're fine on rounded gravel. But I would agree the gravel you have wouldn't be suitable.

 

[DiscusAngel]

Ya, i hav the 2mm gravel and my 4 pandas and 2 sterbai's love it! i hate sand became hard to Vac and also corys mush it all up so i got the finest gravel i could. and its perfect my plants grow in it very well also.

 

[Coryman]

You could always get 2mm pea gravel (rounded gravel) if you dont like the idea of sand (pain in the bum to clean).

Contrary to popular belief, cories dont need sand - they're fine on rounded gravel. But I would agree the gravel you have wouldn't be suitable.

I have to disagree, although you may be right that they don't need gravel, but it's is not their natural substrate as I have already posted here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=181819.

Ask the question, "why do you clean the gravel" answer! because mulm, (Inert waste matter) and food particles penetrate where they cannot be reached, especially the food, this will very quickly decompose and cause problems. With sand all this waste matter stays on the top and what particles of food that does penetrate can be easily reached by all but the pygmy Corys. If the mulm is unsightly it is easily syphoned from the surface of the sand. An 8 to 10 mm layer of sand is the ideal substrate for Corys.

Ian

 

[LisaLQ]

That's fair enough, but they dont need it. I didn't say gravel was the most natural choice, just that they dont need sand - and will do just fine on fine rounded gravel. If you cant use sand, you can use rounded gravel - as long as it isn't sharp it wont do their barbels any harm. An 8mm layer of sand isn't practical for planted tanks either - so sometimes gravel is a better option. Yes, they probably would be even happier on sand, but they'd probably be even happier in the wild - doesn't stop us giving them the next best alternative

As my cories, who've been on gravel for the last 15 months, would happily tell you In fact, the one time we did attempt sand - they hated it - but that's just my experience.

I am considering changing to sand in one of my tanks, but purely because it looks nicer, not for practicality (by a long shot - sand is horrendous to keep clean with plecs in there lol).

 

[Coryman]

My point was that the natural feeding action of Corys is one of filtering food particles from the fine substrate they naturally live on and it is unnatural for them to be using their barbels as shovels to move gravel. Whether they appear to be happy or not gravel is unnatural to them.

For the record my Corys have been on sand for about 15 years.

Ian

 

[LisaLQ]

Whether they appear to be happy or not gravel is unnatural to them.

And being in a glass tank isnt?

I dont think you understand my point - I think the defensive/slightly snobby tone isn't helping me understand yours either. My point is - if you cant use sand - gravel will do - and they wont come to any harm from it, if it's the rounded fine gravel. My cories can and do pick up and sift through the fine gravel I use - it's nigh on sand as it is!

I didn't say gravel was better than sand, I didn't say gravel was natural to them. I said it'd do if they cant use sand.

 

[Coryman]

Whether they appear to be happy or not gravel is unnatural to them.

And being in a glass tank isnt?
And when the hell did that come into the discussion!

I dont think you understand my point - I think the defensive/slightly snobby tone isn't helping me understand yours either. My point is - if you cant use sand - gravel will do - and they wont come to any harm from it, if it's the rounded fine gravel. My cories can and do pick up and sift through the fine gravel I use - it's nigh on sand as it is!

I didn't say gravel was better than sand, I didn't say gravel was natural to them. I said it'd do if they cant use sand.

You made the profound statement "Contrary to popular belief, cories dont need sand - they're fine on rounded gravel" well if truth be known the don't need gravel either, but that would bring in a whole load of other issues which is not what I want to do. All I was trying to point out was this group of fishes natural feeding habits, and actually not for your benefit as your corys appear to be more than happy with what you provide, but for the other members here reading this, in particular barb-e who started the topic. Without the benefit of experience people can easily fall into the trap of thinking that gravel per-say is the ideal substrate.

If advise is to be given, I find it better to give a full picture, you and I know there are fore's and against' what ever we use and I prefer to let people know what they are and let them decide after all it is their tank. Just to say it would do if they can't use sand without at least a little husbandry advise is no advise at all.

To barb-e,
My apologies if I have been "slightly snobby" in trying to give the full picture, I am just trying to point out a few facts to help you provide what ultimately you will decide is the best environment for you Corys. Whatever you decide to use, the one thing I am sure lisaLQ and I do agree on is that it must be smooth edged.

I had thought about writing two or three guide line stickies for the head of the Cory forum, but .........

Ian