Moving A.Abacaxis from sand to gravel

[Kravu]

Hello,
I have a pair of A.Abacaxis, and I am changing the biotope to planted tank, will it be good for them if I moved them there(the substrate will be fine gravel) or should I sell them?
I read somewhere that dwarf cichlids sifts sands through their gills to keep healty, is that true?

Gravel is 1-3mm grade, here is the pic of it on my hand.

http://i.imgur.com/KJbz8N9.jpg

Thanks for your help,
Kravcu

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

It isn't a suitable substrate for keeping any Apistogramma sp. over. As you say they are geophagine cichlids and part of their normal behaviour is sand sifting.

Why are you going to change to grit? I have sand in all my tanks, all planted, and sand is a better substrate for plants as well as Apistogramma.

cheers Darrel

 

[Kravu]

Thanks for help.

I'm going to change because I want to try something new, unfortunatelly I am not and I won't be able to set up another tank only for apistogrammas.

Getting back to the sand subject, I guess that non-apistogramma dwarf cichlids (ex. Dicrossus sp.)
has sand sifting in their normal behaviour too, am I right?

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Mike Wise]

Most of my tanks have had a substrate of Tex-Blast blasting sand for over 35 years now. It is more rounded than your gravel, but roughly the same size. I've produced a lot of apisto species using it, including A. sp. Abacaxis. My only concern is the sharp, angular edges of the grains.

 

[Kravu]

Most of my tanks have had a substrate of Tex-Blast blasting sand for over 35 years now. It is more rounded than your gravel, but roughly the same size. I've produced a lot of apisto species using it, including A. sp. Abacaxis. My only concern is the sharp, angular edges of the grains.

Do you mean, that fishes can hurt themselves by swimming near the substrate, or by trying to sift gravel?
My friend had a tank on this gravel with a few otto's, he said that he were especially looking on them because they were "sitting" on the substrate often, but they were fine.
I think I can manage to make a beach sand, about 10-15% of the tank base, will it be enough for them?

 

[Mike Wise]

Yes, to sifting and its effect on the mouth & gills. Have you seen what angular gravel does to the whiskers of cory cats? Not pretty. I'd suggest using more rounded sand toward the (unplanted) front where most of the sifting would occur.

 

[Kravu]

Yes, to sifting and its effect on the mouth & gills. Have you seen what angular gravel does to the whiskers of cory cats? Not pretty. I'd suggest using more rounded sand toward the (unplanted) front where most of the sifting would occur.

I'm a little bit suprised,is it a really difference whether it is back or front?
I have always thought that they would sift the sand most likely in the back of the tank.

About the cories, I haven't, because I always keep them on sand.

 

[Mike Wise]

They will sift mostly where there is open space. If you don't plant in the back (rather odd IMHO) that would be the place to put the smooth stuff.