Best substrate for goldfish?

[GoldfishGalT300]

Hi everyone, first time poster

I currently have aquarium rocks in my goldfish tank, which I now realise isn’t the best idea as I read they can choke on them.

Can anyone advise me what is the best substrate for fancy goldfish? I want it to be black. I don’t have real plants.

And any tips on how to change substrate with fish in the tank?

Thanks so much

 

[Autumnsky]

How long have you had your tank set up? And what size is it? Yes indeed, the GF will easily get a mouth sized pebble in their mouth. I have had it happen when my pond was bare bottom. Though it happened. I bought a potted lily and set it on a side shelf and before too long one of them had snagged a stone the plant pot had one top to help weight it. I didn't even think of it being in there.

Many use a bare bottom tank, you can paint the underside of the tank, and add other plants, large decorative stones and smooth DW /driftwood. Easy to clean.

Sand is a very good substrate.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Larger stones that the fish can't eat would work, but I think that would present a cleaning challenge.

Sand works well and you can get it in different colors.