Pygmy Corys

[henryfg]

Hi. I know most larger corys need a sandy substrate to protect their barbels, but when a grain of gravel is larger than the head of a pygmy cory, will they be OK with gravel as a substrate? I fell in love with these little guys in the shop, but do not want to get them if I will be doing them a disservice!

 

[KittyKat]

They really do benefit from sand quite a lot. They are still sifters, even if they are small.

 

[henryfg]

OK. Time for a new tank then methinks...

 

[KittyKat]

Yay for new tanks! What's the plan?

 

[hillmar77]

Other then the fact that they love shifting through sand.... Gravel lets in decaying fish food, and waste in between the cracks, causing a very unhealthy condition for your bottom shifter. Sand in the other hand doesn't have that problem and with a good water circulation most of the waste end up in the intake of the filter.

 

[Jimfish]

The Pygmies, like any other cory cat, would probably prefer sand that they can poke their little faces down in as they sift around.

However!

I've got 12 Pygmies in my big tank that has standard aquarium gravel in the bottom, and they're all doing just fine. Their barbels are all nice and long, and they have no trouble picking the food out from between the cracks. Such a cute little group!

So really, if it comes down to it, either will work. Just be sure to siphon your gravel regularly if you do go that route.