The Corydoras sand debate revisited - fishfood for thought

[GaryE]

This blog I'm linking to is from two of the most credible sources I know of. If you don't know of them, check their credentials at the top of their page. They're good.

It lays to rest one of my longtime beliefs about not using salt with Corys - I'm satisfied that I was wrong about that. But it's a measured and to the point analysis by a vet and a superskilled aquarist. Just a little fishfood for thought.

Do Cory Catfish Need Sand? Health and Behavioral Considerations in Substrate Choice - FISHKEEP & CHILL

Jennifer O. Reynolds, M.A., and Nora Hickey, D.V.M. Nora and Jen weigh in on the ongoing debate about whether cory catfish, including Hoplisoma species, pygmy corys, and other popular species, truly need sand in their aquariums. They also provide expert recommendations on the best sand options...

fishkeepandchill.com

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I clicked through to the link and read their interview. It looks like a few of those corys have Ich. But it might be fine sand stuck to them. It is hard to tell. I do not use sand that fine as it tends to get vacuumed out easily. I like Carib Sea substrate and I use their Torpedo Beach sand which has a "Typical Size: 0.5 – 2.0mm" So, most corys do not sift it in my tanks with sand bottoms. But I also know a healthy cory has healthy barbels which mine do.

One last note re salt in tanks, I was taught many years ago the the amount of iodide and anti-clumping agents in common table salt is so low that the amount of salt we would have to add toa tank for the iodide or anti-caking agents to have an effect on the fish would be eough to pickle them before these additives would be doing any harm. This was taught to me by a legendary fishkeeper of the era

Author: Robert T. Ricketts
Retired research scientist (biochemistry and physiology, pharmaceutical development) and senior process analyst.Started fishkeeping in the dark ages (1950s), first SW tanks in the mid-60s, first puffers in the early 60s. Started with two tanks and never less than multi-tanked excepting some periods in college and grad school. Specialty if any would be filtration and water management. Primarily species tanks, planted whenever possible/practical and some where it not really practical.Ran something on the order of >150 tank-years* in studying optimum tank conditions for F-8 puffers, the largest tank study I have done. Other studies have been significantly less. Alternate canister use was mid-40s, OERFUG just over 60, veggie filters only about 25 to publication, but still going on less intently. If it had been known that the F-8s would live so long, it probably would not have been started at all.*One tank-year is one tank for one year.

from https://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/author/rtr/

 

[GaryE]

It's not Ich, but fine sand.

 

[CassCats]

Mine get the fine sand stuck to them alllll the time lol

When I'm home later, I shall give the studies a read.

Have I told you both how much I love your scientific approach to things?

 

[Uberhoust]

@CassCats Quite the pretty cory.

 

[CassCats]

@CassCats Quite the pretty cory.

Osteogaster eques a favourite species of mine. I do recommend