I have been doing research on pygmy cories. Everywhere I read it says that the cories need a sand substrate. I have a gravel substrate and am in the process of getting my tank cycling. Do I need to go ahead and start over with sand, or will gravel be ok?
pygmy cories and the substrate
- Thread starter snyder1185
- Start date
cories dont NEED sand, but they like to dig into it and stick their heads into it. its interesting to watch when they all do it lol.
regular gravel will be fine unless it is sharp or very course, for it will damage their barbells, but its not like youre going to put broken glass and chunks of wood in your tank
regular gravel will be fine unless it is sharp or very course, for it will damage their barbells, but its not like youre going to put broken glass and chunks of wood in your tank
Pygmy Cories and Substrate
Can I mix sand with the gravel? I have been told that I do not have enough gravel, so I will need to add something more than likely.
Can I mix sand with the gravel? I have been told that I do not have enough gravel, so I will need to add something more than likely.
Sand will just sink into the cracks between the gravel. I'd say just stick with gravel, although keep and eye on their "whiskers". I suspect you won't have a problem with the gravel.
not like this has anything to do with cories, but i like gravel, because it gives my fry extra places to hide - they dig little tunnels in it, and crawl around its adorable! 
I agree, cories don't need sand, but I think it may also be a little better for thier mental health if they are wild collected, since most rivers in the amazon have a sandy bottom.
Hi,
I use gravel in my tank and they seem to be fine. My Cories whiskers are almost a inch from side to side!!!
Cory Lover
I use gravel in my tank and they seem to be fine. My Cories whiskers are almost a inch from side to side!!!
Cory Lover
All gravel in my tank. My oldest cories are over 4 years now and have lovely whiskers. I use pea stone gravel I bought at a garden centre, so it is actually quite rough. A good varied diet and lots of fresh water will keep your cories at their healthiest. And you don't need a very deep gravel bed unless you are growing lots of plants (even then you can get away with shallow).