What is best for bichirs, sand or gravel? I want to get black sand, but it's always so expensive.
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Polypterus with gravel or sand?
- Thread starter Shanekistler
- Start date
Another sand or gravel thread, I'd say go barebottom, easy to clean. What Polypterus specifically would you get? If you go for sand, go for black sand, if gravel, well, should be large enough not to be eaten by the fish. Avoid any sand like coral sand, it has sharp edges that may be a problem if being gulp down or when the poly's bury their head, it can also buffer your ph, same goes with gravels avoid sharp edges as well.
I prefer sand; I think you can buy blasting sand in black for much cheaper than at your lfs. It's softer for their stomachs than gravel and they can move it around to hollow out spaces. I've heard that they can swallow gravel and become impacted but mine always spit it out while feeding when I used to have gravel. Polished gravel might be a better choice.
I have two separate bichir tanks, and the bichirs in the sand substrate tank seems to be more active...
Sand by far (or you could do what E.C. said and go bare bottom), but i think that red and black sand bring out the polys patterns and colors a lot more than bare bottom IMO. Also Gravel is harder to clean (from what i've experienced and heard). It also has choke hazards that I personally have encountered with a poly choking to death on gravel that is to large. Anyways IMO sand is by far better. As far as choice it would depend on the species as some would do better on red sand, but then some'd do better on black sand.
Sand all the way. Gravel does not look natural not to mention it causes damage to the bichir's delicate pectoral fins. food can also seep between the rocks. Bad stuff.
Go with sand, it's safe for bichirs, easy to clean and it will serve as a nice place for your bacterial colonies to thrive and flourish.
A nice alternative to bare bottom that some members have gone with is tile. I'd imagine you'd have to be careful about what tile you used if you went that route though (wouldn't want anything that may have been treated with toxic chemicals, obviously).
I have black sand in my tank and my polys are turning crazy cool colors and patterns. I have a poo ton of Tahitian moon sand. Its made out of lava rock to its super light and super soft. My bichirs love it, they are always cruising around on it more than they did on my flourite clay substrate.