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That is pool filter sand. I'm sure that there are many different types of PFS, but this is what my pool store has. It is like tiny little balls which I like, no sharp edges.
I think I have one male for sure, maybe two. The rest seem to be females or they are just maturing quite a bit slower. While they are out in the open much more these days, they are no easier to photograph than any other time. They seem to spend all of their free time chasing each other as cichlids tend to do.
Here are a couple of photos that show their progress. You may have to search a little to find the fish in the plants. A couple of them are showing some nice colors.