Pelvicachromis - Sand or gravel?

[Pelvicachromis]

I am setting up some breeding tanks for my Pelvicachromis tanieatus and P. subocellatus. Should I go with sand or fine gravel or just leave the bottoms bare?

any thoughts?

thanks,
Keith

 

[LyreTail]

I use fine micro gravel as the female likes to excavate the breeding pots. I have not tried sand yet, but I am going to try it next

 

[anakonda]

I have a breeding tank for taeniatus. Bottom is sand and there's some anubias in coconuts filled with gravel. It seems to work fine. The adults really like being able to go through the sand when searching food. it's as natural to them as it is for Corydoras. Also the young have color well adapted to hiding above sand/very fine gravel. The gravel is good in the coconuts because the parents seemed to like digging the nest site there and gravel keeps it's form better.
What's the mm grain size of microgravel?

 

[LyreTail]

2 to 4 mm - I use "carib Sea " brand "peace river" gravel mixed with 50% flourite

 

[Randall]

Pelvicachromis substrate

Hello Keith,

Looks like you're getting some really good answers here.

As already mentioned, Pelvicachromis spp. are good little excavators. Digging behavior usually precedes spawning and seems to strengthen the pair bond. For this reason, it's best to use a fine substrate. Either sand or a 1-2 mm gravel is ideal, but if you go a little larger it shouldn't pose too much of a problem for your fish.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[tjudy]

I have switched over to a sand/gravel mix that is about 80% sand. The Pelvicachromis sift the sand for detritus a lot.

 

[LyreTail]

My little 1.25 inch long (3+ cm long ) Moliwe krib mothers can excavate a "fist full"of gravel in a single day. Quite a lot of gravel to move when her mouth is only big enough to pick up one or two grains at a time. My much larger Pulcher mother can excavate much more - perhaps 5 grains or more at a time

 

[Pelvicachromis]

Great replys everyone.
I'll look for some fine gravel, if that doesn't pan out then sand it is.

Thanks
Keith Chitwood

 

[LyreTail]

My Moliwe Kribs just cave spawned in sand - looks like it made no difference - she was able to pile the sand up outside the door of the cave the same as the microgravel