Gravel question

[Celura]

I read a post in here last evening about the differences in lighter and darker gravel, and even sand in a tank, as far as how happy and active the fish are, etc. As you know, I have a Betta. My gravel currently is light blue. Does it really matter what colour the gravel is?

Thanks for any input you have. :)

[ElPasoSiren]

My 10 gallon tank has black gravel in it and my betta doesn't care. I don't think it matters to them. Personally,I don't like that neon colored gravel. It looks awful! :)

[Leopardess]

I'm not sure that a betta is the kind of fish that particularly cares about their gravel color. However, many smaller, schooling fish (and even bigger ones) especially can be skittish if they are placed in a tank with very light gravel. Naturally, most fish come from areas where the bottom is dark brown to black. It helps the fish feel secure because they "know" that it makes them much less visible from the surface, ie, their silouette is much harder to make out. With a lighter gravel, the fish would be just fine, but they may feel a little scared/skittish and therefore their colors may not be as vibrant as possible.

Lighter colors can also often attract the eye's attention - away from the fish. If your blue gravel is brighter than the fish, imo, it takes away from the fish itself. Not only can lighter colors be distracting, but they can wash out the fish's color. Darker colors tend to highlight the fish (much like a black background forces you to concentrate on the fish, while a flourescent pink one may draw your attention instead) and can make them feel more secure, therefore giving them (or at least an illusion to) brighter colors.

I have a lightish fine grained gravel/sand in my 29g. In that tank, my boesmani is light in color. It had to get moved to another tank temporarily...to one that had black gravel/black background. The boesmani was much darker in this tank, having dark blue and orange rather than light yellow/green.

[Celura]

So what do you think of that "chipped bottle glass" type of gravel?

[Leopardess]

I would not use it myself - its far too unnatural for my tastes. But as long as its very smooth, I'm sure it would be okay for a betta.

[Grassguy]

uh yeah what she said. I agree wholeheartedly with Leopardess. Just wanted to give one more vote for the darker gravel.:)

[TKOS]

For bettas the best thing is to make sure there aren't sharp things in the tank. Shard gravel and hard plastic plants can be real killers on their fins. Bettas are quite inquisitive and will often drag their fins while exploring.

[Celura]

Originally posted by TKOS
For bettas the best thing is to make sure there aren't sharp things in the tank. Shard gravel and hard plastic plants can be real killers on their fins. Bettas are quite inquisitive and will often drag their fins while exploring.

You know, you're right. That's why I replaced the plastic plant his prior owner had in with him with a softer fabric one, and now real ones. He cut his tail on the old plant one time. :(

I guess I'll have to go gravel shopping. If the colour doesn't matter, I think I'll go lighter since it seems so dark in there with the medium blue right now.

[Leopardess]

If you go lighter, i suggest a plain old tan color.

[TKOS]

Marbles actually make for an interesting and smooth substrate. Not natural looking but kind of cool and tons of varieties.

[Celura]

Originally posted by TKOS
Marbles actually make for an interesting and smooth substrate. Not natural looking but kind of cool and tons of varieties.

Hmm, he might like that. Plus it would make dirt easier to see than using sand or something. Thanks for the ideas, everyone! :)