i plan a new tank and think about addimg sand as substrate. Thing is, will white sand change the color of my ornate?
is aquarium sand good for bichirs?
- Thread starter DariusAmurdarja
- Start date
The ornate will be likely to lighten up in a stark white environment, ...as most other species would. Changing your overhead lighting for something more akin to natural sunlight will reduce some of the washout.
Of all the bichir species ornate bichirs tend to stay the same even in a lighter environment in my own experience. Ornates actually develop more yellow patterns when keep in lighter environment. Unlike lapradeis that get washed out patterns in lighter environment.
I have pool filter sand in my tank with a bunch or different fish and a ornate bichir and his color has not changed since I got him. Here is a picture of him I can also show u cichlids with no color change with the sand in my tank if you want to see them I will show you it doesn't change any color . I also have darker colors in my tank 
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Red crushed garnet or 3M Red quartz is by far the best for bringing out color and contrast in Bichirs.
True crushed garnet is also super heavy so doesn't get thrown around as much and doesn't get into filters.
I swear by 90% crushed garnet mixed with 10% black tahitian moon sand.
The red makes the contrast and patterns "pop" and the little black makes the greens come out.
It's a mix that Bichir enthusiasts here in Japan have always sworn upon.
Pale sand will always wash Bichirs out, and while SOME Ornates may not fade right out, they do take on a much paler color IMO.
True crushed garnet is also super heavy so doesn't get thrown around as much and doesn't get into filters.
I swear by 90% crushed garnet mixed with 10% black tahitian moon sand.
The red makes the contrast and patterns "pop" and the little black makes the greens come out.
It's a mix that Bichir enthusiasts here in Japan have always sworn upon.
Pale sand will always wash Bichirs out, and while SOME Ornates may not fade right out, they do take on a much paler color IMO.
thanks for the info. i plan to make a new tank because in my tank now i neber see my bichirs...I habe 3 wonderful bichirs but see them very rarely...
I rarely see mine to. If you keep bichirs right, you won't see them much, period. If you keep them in an empty tank, you will, but how will the fish like it? That's something every bichir keeper needs to consider IMO.
I have a tank with tons of hiding spots and white sand. My 3 polys are rarely in hiding for more then a few seconds, always cruising or laying out in the open. I have white sand and I'm happy with the dels color, it's black stripes are as dark as can be and the rest is pretty yellowy green
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I never see my bichirs. Just at feeding time. The only one who shows up rarely is the endlicheri. The tank looks completly empty and only filled with woods and plants.
