Gravel Help.

[seth]

Ok,
I was at petsmart and was going to buy sand for my corys. Like planned. But they were out so i bought black gravel instead, I just put it in and it is really pretty. Is it actually bad for corys to be on gravel.

 

[Qays]

Gravel is not bad for them. But if the gravel has sharp edges, get rounded gravel, otherwise you risk stressing them out, wearing away their barbels, getting bacterial infections etc.

 

[seth]

I am thinking of putting a thin layer of black sand over the gravel. but not sure.

 

[Qays]

It will just drop to the bottom and the gravel will sit on top of it.

You'll need rounded gravel or sand

 

[Inchworm]

Hi seth,

Corys require a clean bottom with gravel or sand that will not injure them. If the gravel is fine enough that they corys can move it around with their barbels, and if there are no rough or sharp edges on it, it will be good. It will be more work for you to keep clean and sanitary though.

Large gravel or pebbles tend to allow uneaten food and fish wastes to collect in the spaces between them. Unless this debris is regularly siphoned out, potentially harmful bacteria are apt to feed on it and multiply. Since corys live at the bottom they are more likely to come into contact with these bacteria than the other fish in your tank are.

Another consideration is whether the gravel is natural or if it has been painted to make it the color it is. If so, at some point the paint could break down and begin to flake off. If this begins to happen, it will be time to redo the tank.