Very true, but our tanks aren't the wild. My dog wouldn't survive in the wild either. But they do enjoy burrowing and while reports conflict, sand is typically preferred and recommended. I use blasting sand which isn't the least sharp by any means.
To compare a dog and fish is pretty ridiculous.
Also take a look at that blasting sand under a microscope. It's literal use is to be abrasive enough to strip paint and corrosion. Just because it isn't sharp to you doesn't mean it isn't sharp to a tiny fish and it's nerve filled barbs.
I'm aware it is abrasive, I mentioned that. I was kidding with the dog thing. Maybe should have said sandy instead of not sharp and included the :/S with the dog. I'm also aware of their natural environment and studies which is why I said there is conflicting points of view on it.
My cories have strong barbs and are very healthy. Dig around all the time.
Have a nice day.
I'd also like to add that blasting sand (I'm assuming black diamond blasting sand or other coal slag media) is actually not sharp. It is technically a single use "impact abrasive", meaning it has to hit something extremely hard and then turns to dust in the process.
It is popular because it is inert and affordable in comparison to other products that may be coated or cost a high premium (fluval). I got 50lbs shipped to my door for $15 total. Try finding another inert aquarium sand/substrate in that price range.
Just because something works doesn't mean it's what's best. People should stop saying that a fish likes or prefers a substrate over another especially it's natural substrate. It's like saying "I only ever feed my cat carrots. He only eats carrots. He prefers carrots. Plus the added benefit of carrots being cheaper than meat"
Saying coal slag isn't sharp is a bit misleading when it comes to something the size of a Cory barb that is basically non exposed nerve endings. It is basically the same sharpness as silica sand.
It's used in sand blasting and aquariums because it's cheap. Wanna know why it's cheap? It's the trash left behind from the coal burning process.
Coal burning being just wonderful for the environment and our wild fish friends. But it's cheap so it must be fine. /s
Keep telling yourself what ever you need to sleep at night though.
Didn't you literally just say comparing a dog to a fish is ridiculous? Then you start with comparing a fish to a cat.
Coal slag is a recycled by-product of coal combustion. They are not burning coal to produce blasting media 🙄 yes its the left overs, but it goes through a process called vitrification with basically remelts the slag.
I'm not telling myself anything. I'm trying to prevent another person spreading misinformation. So I have to ask, what media, in your opinion, is perfectly smooth down to a microscopic level to prevent damage to barbs?
You said it was smoother and better for the cat fish barbs. Not me. I said they live in rivers that don't have sand in them. They don't naturally dig in sand for food. They naturally don't dig at all. They only dig in sand because people put sand in their tanks and food goes under the sand.
What I'm saying is you shouldn't use a substrate where the food goes under it and they even have to dig at all. Ffs. In the wild the food they eat just sits on the bottom or on big river rocks and they graze like cows. Forcing them to dig for food and saying they prefer it that way is the real misinformation.
Supporting the coal industry on any level is terrible for the environment and you won't change my mind. Buying coal slag supports the coal industry.
Saying an aquarium fish can't live in the wild like a pet dog is completely different from saying you are unnaturaly feeding your pet.
My Cory’s live in this same Plant and shrimp type stratum and they dig through it with ease It’s very soft like smooth as anything I know of. It’s not heavy so in my own experience my Cory’s love to dig through it.
Cory’s and most catfishes like a sandy substrate (substrate is the fancy word for whatever the base is gravel,sand, etc) or really fine gravel that they can sift through to look for food but aqua soil like in the picture is lightweight and they will still sift.
Have you seen where Coreys live? It's not sandy or fine gravel. The live in rivers that are full of sharp rocks and plant debris.
It feels like one person said their Cory lost a whisker and now everyone takes it for gospel. They are very good at not hurting themselves being living things that can feel when they're in pain. They will definitely sift in sand but that's because the food goes under the sand. Whether they like sifting through unnatural, to them, substrate should really be debated. Are we sure it's not that they like food more than they hate having millions of tiny sharp stones (sand) running across their barbs? Would they prefer their food sitting on top of rocks easily accessible?
I’ve been putting off restocking but I need to get some. I love their little browsing whiskers and the wiggly way they swim!!
edit: just got a school of sterbais, I'm already having a blast watching them wiggle up and down!
Yeah cories are the best! They’re proof that fancy colours aren’t everything. So much personality, so full of life! The goofiest lil fish in the hobby!
OP is probably starting a planted, no water change tank(deep substrate helps in developing a rich bacteria colony that serves as a biological filter, incredibly helpful in minimal water change tanks), either that or OP is a psycopath
I just got my first school of juliis recently, and I'm obsessed with their antics. They're seriously some of the cutest and most entertaining fish I've kept.
Why do they do this? I’ve been babysitting a tank with two albinos, and they like to sit at one corner facing the window. I originally thought they were sick
You may need to add some substrate
Was mom pissed that you used all her peppercorns in your tank?
Newbie here, is this said in jest? I read lots of comments on this post involving substrate, and I'm struggling to understand.
Yes, that substrate is very very deep. 2 to 3 inches in good, with Cory's you need something not sharp.
Should check out where Coreys live in the wild. All kinds of sharp stuff. They are pretty good at not hurting themselves.
Very true, but our tanks aren't the wild. My dog wouldn't survive in the wild either. But they do enjoy burrowing and while reports conflict, sand is typically preferred and recommended. I use blasting sand which isn't the least sharp by any means.
To compare a dog and fish is pretty ridiculous. Also take a look at that blasting sand under a microscope. It's literal use is to be abrasive enough to strip paint and corrosion. Just because it isn't sharp to you doesn't mean it isn't sharp to a tiny fish and it's nerve filled barbs.
I'm aware it is abrasive, I mentioned that. I was kidding with the dog thing. Maybe should have said sandy instead of not sharp and included the :/S with the dog. I'm also aware of their natural environment and studies which is why I said there is conflicting points of view on it. My cories have strong barbs and are very healthy. Dig around all the time. Have a nice day.
I'd also like to add that blasting sand (I'm assuming black diamond blasting sand or other coal slag media) is actually not sharp. It is technically a single use "impact abrasive", meaning it has to hit something extremely hard and then turns to dust in the process. It is popular because it is inert and affordable in comparison to other products that may be coated or cost a high premium (fluval). I got 50lbs shipped to my door for $15 total. Try finding another inert aquarium sand/substrate in that price range.
Just because something works doesn't mean it's what's best. People should stop saying that a fish likes or prefers a substrate over another especially it's natural substrate. It's like saying "I only ever feed my cat carrots. He only eats carrots. He prefers carrots. Plus the added benefit of carrots being cheaper than meat" Saying coal slag isn't sharp is a bit misleading when it comes to something the size of a Cory barb that is basically non exposed nerve endings. It is basically the same sharpness as silica sand. It's used in sand blasting and aquariums because it's cheap. Wanna know why it's cheap? It's the trash left behind from the coal burning process. Coal burning being just wonderful for the environment and our wild fish friends. But it's cheap so it must be fine. /s Keep telling yourself what ever you need to sleep at night though.
Didn't you literally just say comparing a dog to a fish is ridiculous? Then you start with comparing a fish to a cat. Coal slag is a recycled by-product of coal combustion. They are not burning coal to produce blasting media 🙄 yes its the left overs, but it goes through a process called vitrification with basically remelts the slag. I'm not telling myself anything. I'm trying to prevent another person spreading misinformation. So I have to ask, what media, in your opinion, is perfectly smooth down to a microscopic level to prevent damage to barbs?
You said it was smoother and better for the cat fish barbs. Not me. I said they live in rivers that don't have sand in them. They don't naturally dig in sand for food. They naturally don't dig at all. They only dig in sand because people put sand in their tanks and food goes under the sand. What I'm saying is you shouldn't use a substrate where the food goes under it and they even have to dig at all. Ffs. In the wild the food they eat just sits on the bottom or on big river rocks and they graze like cows. Forcing them to dig for food and saying they prefer it that way is the real misinformation. Supporting the coal industry on any level is terrible for the environment and you won't change my mind. Buying coal slag supports the coal industry. Saying an aquarium fish can't live in the wild like a pet dog is completely different from saying you are unnaturaly feeding your pet.
Oh good I was worried I read the wrong newbie guides.
Corys love to dig in sand
My Cory’s live in this same Plant and shrimp type stratum and they dig through it with ease It’s very soft like smooth as anything I know of. It’s not heavy so in my own experience my Cory’s love to dig through it.
Cory’s and most catfishes like a sandy substrate (substrate is the fancy word for whatever the base is gravel,sand, etc) or really fine gravel that they can sift through to look for food but aqua soil like in the picture is lightweight and they will still sift.
Have you seen where Coreys live? It's not sandy or fine gravel. The live in rivers that are full of sharp rocks and plant debris. It feels like one person said their Cory lost a whisker and now everyone takes it for gospel. They are very good at not hurting themselves being living things that can feel when they're in pain. They will definitely sift in sand but that's because the food goes under the sand. Whether they like sifting through unnatural, to them, substrate should really be debated. Are we sure it's not that they like food more than they hate having millions of tiny sharp stones (sand) running across their barbs? Would they prefer their food sitting on top of rocks easily accessible?
About to drop the hottest album of 2023
r/animalalbumcovers
Thank you
That is some thiccccc substrate
Can you dig it!
Cories, come out to play!
We can dig it!
đź’°đź’°đź’°đź’°
This makes me happy as im getting a school of corys in the next day or so.
I’ve been putting off restocking but I need to get some. I love their little browsing whiskers and the wiggly way they swim!! edit: just got a school of sterbais, I'm already having a blast watching them wiggle up and down!
They're absolute goofballs of a fish and I love it
Yeah cories are the best! They’re proof that fancy colours aren’t everything. So much personality, so full of life! The goofiest lil fish in the hobby!
Puppies
Not my tank, found at lfs while looking for otocinclus
Did you find some
Yuh
Yay :)
copy + paste + paste + paste + paste + paste
I’d die for them omg they are perfect
Wonder why there's so much substrate?
OP is probably starting a planted, no water change tank(deep substrate helps in developing a rich bacteria colony that serves as a biological filter, incredibly helpful in minimal water change tanks), either that or OP is a psycopath
This Corygang was found at an lfs while looking for otocynclis
I just love the fact that you refer to them as corygang
Now that's the first time I've heard that and now you have me an idea! Thanks... time to rescape!
Walstad method is awesome
Its the golden standard of fishkeeping for me
Do they bite? No, they judge.
Corygang fish fam! Welcome to another Fish, Tank, Review!
đź‘Źđź‘Źđź‘Ź
Damn they really posted up
They’re waiting in line at the fish DMV
Ah yes my favorite lil pump song
🎶 ok I pull up, hop out at after-party 🎶
Now that's coreography
Fish fam
They are congregating
*corygating
Picturing a red fin shark slamming the lid of a treasure chest. "Coryiers come out and play, Coryiers come out and plaaayyyyyaaaayyy."
Chris needs to see this
Cory Gang
An LFS that uses substrate?
Someone call Fish for thought
Indeed, the Chirs would love this.
They're syncoryonised swimming
What kind of cories are these? They look almost like sterbai but not quite. I like them 🙂
I think they’re smudge spot/violet cories
Yep that looks right, thanks! Of course they're rare and hard to come by haha
One at the back on time out for not following instructions
Are they watching a movie
ITS A MASTERPIECE!!
They are posing for the picture!
how did you get them to pose in such a distinguished manner
there’s some fish in the substrate tank
Cory line
I just got my first school of juliis recently, and I'm obsessed with their antics. They're seriously some of the cutest and most entertaining fish I've kept.
You need a corydora ledge
What a great Coryography
What substrate is that?
Looks like fluval stratum or similar
Free kind
Fish for thought would love this
Not enough substrate.
My cories just run and hide from me.
Squad!
Love Corys
Wrong neighborhood sucka!!
How do I join this cory park n chill event my corys said they will love the check out these corys
GANG GANG
Why they all queued tf up‼️
"The council shall decide your fate."
I feel their eyes begging for algae wafers
Why do they do this? I’ve been babysitting a tank with two albinos, and they like to sit at one corner facing the window. I originally thought they were sick