Cory's and gravel

[johnt2k14]

Hey gang,
Been planning a tank and want to include corys. If I use a gravel substrate, the common Pet* kind, will it damage the cory's barbels?
-J


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[RadMax8]

I have gravel in my cory tank and it works just fine. Make sure the gravel is smooth with no rough edges. I'd also recommend keeping your gravel clean. There was a period of time where I neglected my tank and the barbels got infected and many cories lost them. Once I shaped up with clean water and clean gravel, the grew back. Took a couple months but most of them did regain the barbels.


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[johnt2k14]

Thanks, Rad.

Most of the gravel I've looked at in the stores is painted and that coating gives the gravel a smooth look. Guessing gravel from a construction supply source might be the rough kind that would hurt them?

-John

 

[BBradbury]

Corydoras

Hey gang,
Been planning a tank and want to include corys. If I use a gravel substrate, the common Pet* kind, will it damage the cory's barbels?
-J


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Hello john...

I've used the regular aquarium pea gravel in my Cory tanks for years. Just avoid sharp substrate or sharp tank decorations and keep the water clean. The Corys will be fine.

B

 

[johnt2k14]

Thanks, B.

Think I'll stick with the gravel over the sand as long as it won't hurt the Corys.

 

[Fishfur]

It's the sharp edges that get barbels into trouble. So long as gravel doesn't have sharp edges it's likely just fine. I had some natural gravel that had quite rounded, smallish grains and both cory and kuhli loach were ok on it, no sign of wear at all to the barbels. Clean is important for sure.. they spend most of their time in contact with it, so having it clean is only common sense.

 

[Coursair]

But if you ever want a sand tank they can do this
http://youtu.be/tPOvOije4vQ


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[Fishfur]

I know. It's always best to keep fish in conditions that truly favour their natural behaviours.

 

[johnt2k14]

That video was cute. Thanks. Definitely puts sand back in the running again.


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