Jewels and Sand

[Copper]

Can anyone tell me if a Jewel cichlid would be comfortable in a tank with a sandy bottom?

If not, what cichlids would?

[dismantle me]

My angel and my discus like sand. Not sure about the Jewels :( sorry.

[Copper]

I have it set up, intending to put some discus in it. Considering the recent incident I had, I'm reconsidering such a costly investment if I can still make dummie decisions like that.

[nvision]

what's the deal with discus and sand??

you can keep african shell dwellers with sand. they love it. oh don't forget the seashells.

oops, forget you were asking about jewels. i think they should be ok. most cichlids are resilient to most types of sand and gravel.

[PumaWard]

I think they will actually adore it. I don't know if Jewels dig, but sand is much easier on their mouths than gravel.

[N8DOGG]

If they are anything like my convicts and midas they will love it.

[stephenray75]

I have JD's and GT's and they love it. you can see every morning where they sleep. they like to make a small hole to sleep in. Plus they have a special brooding spot where my JD's breed every month.

[Copper]

Thanks for the opinions folks.

[dumber]

I had a sandy bottom once and it wasn't at all comfortable.

[Copper]

*aw* jeeze! You deserve a time out for that one.

[snakeskinner]

the jewels shouldn't care much about the substrate, they're too busy looking sideways and upwards for other animals. they may verywell dig a pit though if you get a pair that breed (which is really the only option besides a single). I have an overturned strawberry pot and they use that to spawn inside. they will then remove the larvae from the eggs and place them on the substrate inside the strawberry pot. I keep the pot dug into the gravel so the larvae/fry stay inside the pot until I notice them and can shut the power filter off. this keeps the struggling young fry from getting sucked up by the filter for sure. I would imagine the parents would dig the sand out inside a cave or whatever you have to nest the fry. As for plants in the sand, I don't know what would happen there. I have fake plants in their 29 and havn't seen them even try to move the gravel around but you never know. KYle

[Copper]

Hey, that's outstanding. Thanks a bunch Snakeskinner.