can substrate decolor fish

[Nate Dogg]

I was wondering can the color of the substrate in your tank de-color your fish. I just got a 7 foot 210 and I want to put crushed coral in it (approx. 160-200lb) it will be for African cichlids. Can/will this decolor the fish. Personaly I like crushed coral because it is cheap and it gives some texture to the ground other than sand

 

[wantokeeptrout]

darker gravel influences darker skin tones, lighter gravel influences paler kin tones. i prefer dark for ca/sa to show off sprangles and lighter for africans so that vibrant males seem to shine

 

[nikond70s]

it all depends on the fish...decors...lightings and background colors. but for short...yes substrate can make a fish less colorful.

 

[Nate Dogg]

can more people chime in the tank would be crushed coral, black background and holy rock

 

[Nate Dogg]

may do lace rock because of the price

 

[wantokeeptrout]

I'd cover the coral with sand since many africans like to sift sand and crushed coral is pretty sharp, can cause some scratches on fish