My Son Wants A Shark!

[James9114]

if you do go for cories try to use sand over gravel because gravel can wear down their barbs over time

 

[Gilli]

if you do go for cories try to use sand over gravel because gravel can wear down their barbs over time

You dont have to use sand - as long as you use pea gravel which is rounded they will be fine. If their barbs do get damaged for any reason they grow back.

 

[fluttermoth]

I used to think the same s you, Gilli.

Then I put some cories on a sand substrate and, oh my goodness, what a difference there was in their behaviour. Now every morning, the sand is covered in little 'dimples' where they've been snuffling through it in the night.

I will never, ever keep any corydoras on a purely gravel substrate (most of my tanks a re a snad/gravel mix) again, nor will I ever recommend anyone else to do so.

It's got to be sand for cories far as I'm concerned; it's just not fair to keep them when they can't display their natural behviour patterns, IMHO.

 

[mark1973]

I used to think the same s you, Gilli.

Then I put some cories on a sand substrate and, oh my goodness, what a difference there was in their behaviour. Now every morning, the sand is covered in little 'dimples' where they've been snuffling through it in the night.

I will never, ever keep any corydoras on a purely gravel substrate (most of my tanks a re a snad/gravel mix) again, nor will I ever recommend anyone else to do so.

It's got to be sand for cories far as I'm concerned; it's just not fair to keep them when they can't display their natural behviour patterns, IMHO.

i have a coulpe of corys,and are geting 6 more this week ,so ill have 1 albino 1 pepperd,2 sterbai,and 4 panda, they are my favourite fish,i have gravel ,which i will change by the weekend into sand,coz i think corys will thrive in sand, any idea what colour sand wud look the best?any1

 

[fluttermoth]

I looked for ages for black sand as I thought it would bring out the colours of the fish more, but all I could find was the Tahitian moonsand, which is still too gritty for cories IMO, so I just went for Argos playsand and it looks really, really nice (and it's cheap! I've managed to do two four foots and a three foot with 2 15kg bags, though I did use some gravel as well).

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I used playsand as well. I haven't seen an issue with the coloration of my fish. They look great (to me). Maybe they'd look even better with a darker substrate, but I can't believe it.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Im tempted also to try dark substrates but the price s ridiculous, well compared to the wonderful prices of playsand, is there any cheap alternatives?

 

[fluttermoth]

I have black gravel in one of my tanks, that's got a load of green neons in it, and I do think they look better on it than they would with sand, but all the others (emperor and Congo tetras, tiger barbs, silvertips + various cories; not all in the same tank!) look just fine over sand.

 

[Humanist]

I'd love a humpback whale too

Would it be ok to keep a humpback whale in a 130L tank?

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, you do realise they are marine though don't you? So you'll nees salt mix and a protein skimmer. And you'd probably need a larger tank long term; I reckon a 150 000 000 gallon would do

 

[Humanist]

Lol! But they only grow to the size of the tank they are in don't they?

 

[raptorrex]

When i was younger (and still do) i loved the silver sharks or RTB sharks amazing creatures. RTB's can only be kept in a one per tank situation though . the silver sharks (when young any way) quite enjoy being in small groups

it's said Balas need to be in groups of 4, or more. even through adulthood. which is sad, as you see so many, on their own in tanks.

 

[Miles_hot]

The other thing to consider about your hump back is that they're jumpers - the lid needs to be very securely fitted

 

[raptorrex]

He has now asked for a humpback whale So yes Fluttermoth I think a biology lesson is in order!

Thank you all for your suggestions. The Bettas look lovely and I didn't realise I could keep shrimp, I am learning so much!

its not KEEPING a Whale, but as close as you can get. Adopt a Whale

The other thing to consider about your hump back is that they're jumpers - the lid needs to be very securely fitted

Phew, thanks for that. I almost forgot.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The other thing to consider about your hump back is that they're jumpers - the lid needs to be very securely fitted

I think the breaching is part of their breeding habits, so it would be better to leave more space between the water and the lid.