Sand/gravel

[Georgia_ofthejungle]

Which is best for s school of pygmy corydoras? Are they ok on gravel?

 

[Fishmanic]

I have my Swartzi corys on gravel and they seem to do ok but I heard they prefer a sand substrate.

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

Sand is really best for Corydoras because gravel can wear down their barbels.  I've heard they like to dig in the sand, too!

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

General consensus is that sand is the best substrate because cories (of all types) sift through sand to find food.  A lot of people say "they will be fine" on gravel, but also say that the difference between gravel and sand is like night and day.  I have personally never kept cories, but I have been doing tons of searching recently.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Sand all the way.
 
Fine, rounded gravel can be alright, but I prefer to use sand, I prefer the look of it over gravel too

 

[CrimsonBoli]

I have Albino Cory's in a tank with both sand and fine gravel. They do prefer being on the sand but will also root around the gravel (its quite fine gravel tho)

 

[Madness13]

As long as it's not sharp gravel then they should be okay. Sharp gravel damages their barbels (whiskers).
 
They definitely do prefer sand though so I'd go with sand, it looks way better too imo.

 

[star4]

Sand is definately best, my lot like to dig upto their eyes in sand lol

 

[tmoney7]

Yes i would go with sand as well.  I have pygmy corys in my tank with gravel but i kick myself sometimes because i set up another tank with sand and prefer it so much more.

 

[Rob5]

Definately sand, my panda corys love it and constantly sift through it

 

[l_l_l]

I'm also wondering the same thing, would ecocomplete be fine for them ?

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

I'm also wondering the same thing, would ecocomplete be fine for them ?

I was wondering the exact same as you not three days ago.  I was recommended the EcoComplete fine grade for cories, but where I am, it would be over $30 per 20lb. bag.
After lots and lots of searching, I have decided to use a rich laterite, then capping with pool filter sand.  Plants and cories will love it!

 

[l_l_l]

Oh then, I'm fine! I got 40 pounds as part of a deal 2 days ago...
Substrate is really expensive and man, when you look at it, it's mostly sand!

Money is not really a concern for me anyways.. I'm just concerned about my fish's safety

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Oh then, I'm fine! I got 40 pounds as part of a deal 2 days ago...
Substrate is really expensive and man, when you look at it, it's mostly sand!

Money is not really a concern for me anyways.. I'm just concerned about my fish's safety

Good find! $20 per 20lb. bag is fair to me.  $30 is going to far, simply because there are other options.   I'm going the cheaper route, but it'll require more work, and hopefully the results will be better than EcoComplete.  My laterite will be an organic soil with clay mixed in.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Natural habitat of the corydoras is the silted river beds of south america, sand is probably the closest viable substrate to silt for aquarium use, I personally use a large sand or fine gravel (smooth when rubbed between fingers), For me this is the best of both worlds fish cope very well with it, no barbule damage, and get a good single substrate for plant growth that doesn't need a too thorough vacuuming regime as debris & poo break down to become plant food