PlanetCatfish.com

Hello all

I'm starting up another community tank and didn't know if the aquagrit I'm planning for the substate would be ok for Brochis sp? I'd asked the LFS and they said yes but when I've got it home and washed it it's a lot courser that I'd imagined. It is fairly light and moves around really easily so I'm hoping they'll be ok as once they start to forrage the grit will move.

see here for the product :
http://www.seapets.co.uk/product-detail ... y/650.html

Any ideas anyone???
Thanks as always

I will take this and your other post as a single topic as they are more or less related.

I am not really familiar with 'Aqua-grit', but the fact that it is a sintered (made from powdered or crushed components) material makes me wonder what it's actual purpose is. I would think that its main function would be primarily for enhanced plant growth, therefore if that is your prime objective is with your set up it will be fine. If on the other hand you want your tank st up to be ideal for you Brochis then I would say that your best option for a substrate is definitely a fine smooth grained sand, like 'Play sand' or river sand, I emphasise smooth grained as this is very important for the health of your Brochis, or any other Corydoradinae species for that matter. If you look at the particles under a magnifying glass they should look like tiny pebbles and not rough edged chippings. A 10 mm deep (3/8") layer is all that is required, this will enable the brochis to reach through to the aquarium base and find all the food particles that may be there. Any deeper and there is a risk of compacting, which can result in toxic gas pockets forming.

Brochis and other Corydoradinae catfish are to a certain extent filter feeders and will suck up the sand and filter out food particles. Their barbels are sensory organs and mainly used to detect food, when larger particle substrate is used their barbels are then being used as moving implements and are subjected to abrasion and can easily become damaged and infected, often resulting in barbel loss altogether.

Others may have differing opinions but I would say use smooth grained sand as a substrate.

Ian