Is 3mm Gravel Ok For Pygmy Cory Sp. ?

[mark.w.jones]

I'm looking to get a small group of Pygmy Corys, probably 4, for my 45 litre (10gal UK) tank but i'd already put in the gravel, plants, rocks + begun fishless cycling before reading up on them. My gravel is natural coloured and around 3mm, which I've read may damage there mouths / barbels.

Should I:

A. Change the gravel for something finer. Bit of pain as it'll mean uprooting everything.
B. Put a layer of finer gravel over the top.
C. Not worry about it at all. It all looks fairly smooth stuff to me but I'm no expert

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

Its not so much the size of the gravel but it needs to be smooth. Pygmy corys actually spend a fair amount of time hovering at different levels, mine hardly ever go to the bottom. If you want a dwarf cory that acts like a cory take a look at corydoras habrosus. I also have these and they spend more time with the other bigger corys rooting around. Google images for a pic

Emma

 

[basia]

I've got mine on 3mm gravel, although it is very smooth. I've had them for 10 months now and they seem fine, in fact I recently added 3 more to my original 8 because they were on their own in a tank at Maidenhead Aquatics. I can see their barbels and they are not damaged at all. Good luck.