Best gravel choice

[CAPOREGIME]

Been keeping fish for a few years now and still havent found the perfect set up for my fish. Now I know that many things can contribute to the coloration of a fish. Stress, diet and gravel are the ones I know of. My question is, what color gravel brings out the best color in fish? Does that depend on each fish species or can it be universal? Should it resemble their natural habitat? I have 5 channa bleheri if that matters and I want them to be at their peak beauty, so to speak.

Thanks for any help...hope this is the right section

 

[cougar579]

Well, dark gravel tends to darken fish up. The same goes for light colored. I prefer black bare bottom tanks...LOL. However I have used natural blasting gravel for years. You can get a 50lb bag for 8.00. It has a nice mixture of browns, with a litle bit of black and beige in there as well.

 

[slammer]

I am partial to dark substrates...black sand is a definate favorite.

 

[aj12790]

I use black sand for my caribes brings out the color

 

[HarleyK]

Should it resemble their natural habitat?

Howdy,

I at least always try to go natural. No colored gravel for me Also, dark substrate is very rare in nature. Even blackwater rivers have light colored sand, like playsand. You can use some peat and mix it into the sand, that's what I did. At first, it slightly influences your water chemistry (hardness, pH), but that effect is saturated soon. If you want to create a darker atmosphere, try floating plants or cork bark.

Have fun,

HarleyK

 

[DeLgAdO]

dark substrate does not make your fish dark

it actually brings out the bright colors of the fish

 

[mark.]

I like sand and gravel(not in the same tank ), but do fish have a preference, i know some like to dig and stuff?

 

[loach43]

I've been addicted to medium sized black gravel for a long time just because it makes so many bottom dwellers look good against it. Would change it over to sand if I ever got another eel or burrowing inhabitant. Gotta agree with those who dislike colored gravel though because after some years, the color starts coming off & makes it look like *#@%!.

 

[USMCtanker]

i love black or white sand. it just looks good if you like to put fake plants in there and rocks. thats just me tho.

 

[fishnutham]

black is the best for bringing out the fih color try moon sand