Do you have a Platy fish? If so, do you know that not all of them like to live in the sand? Some of you may be wondering, “Do Platy fish prefer sand or gravel?” Some people might say that they like to keep them in a tank with sand because it feels more natural. Others believe the opposite and enjoy having them in a tank with gravel. So which one is better?
Many people think sand is a better substrate for Platy fish. But it’s actually gravel that is the better choice for these little guys. Platy fish prefer gravel over sand because it is easier for them to swim through. The gravel also gives the water a chance to flow better, which benefits your Platy fish in many ways, but more on that later.
Today, we will talk about both types of substrate and why some people think one is better than the other!
This blog post will discuss why gravel can be best for your Platy fish and how much they need in their tank!
Brief Details About Sand And Gravel
Sand
Sand is the most common type of substrate for freshwater fish tanks. The advantages are that sand looks natural and provides cover for plants, but it can be a hassle to maintain because you have to siphon out detritus from the bottom of your tank regularly. Sand also has some disadvantages, such as being an abrasive material that can wear away fish’s scales and may contain pollutants like fertilizer.
Gravel
Gravel is another type of substrate for freshwater tanks, but it has many advantages compared to sand. Such as the fact that water can flow well in gravel which provides a more natural environment for your Platy fish; large surface area provides beneficial bacteria growth; live or artificial, gravel can replicate the natural surroundings of your Platy fish; and with proper maintenance, it will not produce detritus like sand.
Do Platy Fish Prefer Sand Or Gravel?
It’s hard to say if platy fish prefer sand or gravel because they are so new. But many people who have them in their tanks seem to like both.
It might seem like there isn’t much difference between sand or artificial but, believe me when I say that there’s all the difference in the world! If you want your water flow to be great and beneficial bacteria t grow, you cannot go wrong with gravel.
Well, as the different types of gravel are used for different purposes, figuring out which type your fish will prefer can be difficult. However, most Platy fish seem to like living or natural gravel best, and owners should provide a variety of both in their tanks so they have options on what surface they would like to swim around.
Sand is often chosen for a single reason: it is a cheap and easy option.
However, sand does not provide any benefits to your fish other than being aesthetically pleasing for you. Sand can also hurt the water flow in your tank because you cannot clean like real gravel or even artificial options. If this doesn’t bother you, then, by all means, go ahead and use sand.
Of course, if you have natural gravel, your fish will not be able to swim around in those areas. However, water can still flow well over it without much obstruction. The large surface area for beneficial bacteria makes this an attractive option instead of sand which does nothing of that sort.
Why Is Gravel Best For Your Platy Fish?
The benefits of using gravel outweigh the beauty of sand, in my opinion. Unfortunately, it is not always an easy decision to make because there are many different materials that you can use.
I will list out all the reasons why Platy fish may prefer Gravel over sand in the tank. Actually, this is actually more for you and less for your fish.
Aesthetic
The first thing to take into consideration when choosing between Sand or Gravel for Platy fish is aesthetics. The gravel looks better than sand and has more surface area for beneficial bacteria in the Platy Fish tank.
Gravel provides a more natural environment for your plays and, which to some people this is important; water can flow well in the tank with live or artificial gravel, so it creates an ideal habitat for your fish you don’t have to worry about detritus and particles getting caught in the gravel.
Gravel can provide many benefits for your fish and is a natural substrate for them to live in. In addition, gravel can provide an aesthetically pleasing environment that offers more surface area for beneficial bacteria, water flow benefits, easy maintenance, and less chance of detritus getting caught between the gravel pieces.
Water Can Flow Well
The water flow is much better in a tank with gravel because the water flows freely through and around the gravel.
Sand does not allow for much movement in the water because it’s abrasive, which can potentially wear away fish’s scales and may contain pollutants like fertilizer.
Easier Maintenance
Gravel is easy maintenance because you need to vacuum or siphon the gravel. Of course, you should be doing this anyway with your sand substrate, but it’s much easier when all you have is a pile of rocks as opposed to loose and messy grains of sand that get stuck in nooks and crannies around your tank.
Large Surface Area For Beneficial Bacteria
The large surface area of gravel gives your tank an aesthetic appeal and provides many benefits. There are different types of gravel, but some can be better for your platy fish than others.
Live or artificial gravel provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria. This means the substrate can provide many of the same benefits as live plants without worrying about adding aquatic flora that may be harmful to your specimens and other livestock in the tank.
The larger surface area of beneficial bacteria means that they will do their job more efficiently, which aids in your platy-fish’s health.
Types Of Gravel
There are also different types of each, which I will detail later on, but let’s talk about the basics first.
Live Gravel
Live gravel is a type of material that I prefer. This usually includes small pieces of the same substrate you would find on your local beach. And it looks natural in an aquarium because it’s so similar to how you can find them in nature.
Live gravel can replicate the natural habitat of your Platy fish which is important for their psychological needs; clay or artificial will not be as beneficial to them, but it does provide a different look if that’s what you’re going for in your tank.
Artificial Gravel
Artificial gravel is safe for fish and has many benefits over live gravel. This is a type of gravel that has been manufactured to provide the benefits discussed earlier in this article.
Clay Gravel
There are different types of clay gravers, and they can be used if desired. But I would not recommend it because artificial or live sand is better for your plays than clay-based material. Clay-based gravel is not as aesthetically pleasing, and it can’t provide the benefits of sand or gravel.
This type of gravel is not as easy to clean and maintain. It can get stuck in nooks that are hard to reach with a vacuum or siphon, but it does look more natural than other types of gravel. The downside to this substrate is that there isn’t much surface area for aquarium beneficial bacteria, which is not good for your Platy fish.
Natural Gravel
Many people don’t like the idea of using gravel because they think it’s unnatural and artificial. But there are many great benefits to this type of substrate. Natural gravel is a natural product that can come from different rocks, such as limestone or sandstone.
There are different types of natural gravels that you can choose from. Still, I would recommend staying away from this type unless your Platy fish happen to be in a tank with other types of aquarium inhabitants like turtles because they eat anything in the tank.
Are There Any Risks To Using Gravel?
No, as long as you clean it regularly and use a safe type for fish, you won’t have any problems with the substrate. Rocks are also great choices because they look natural when used inside an aquarium.
How Much Gravel Should You Keep In Your Tank?
You can have as much gravel in your tank as you want. But most experts recommend that you should make 30% of the substrate of natural materials like sand and limestone. The live material is better than artificial. It provides a large surface area for beneficial bacteria, and it’s safer for fish.
Cleaning And Maintenance Of Gravel In Your Platy Fish Tank
You should clean and maintain your gravel substrate by siphoning about once every four to six weeks or when needed. If you have a live tank with other types of aquarium inhabitants like turtles, then I recommend vacuuming the tank’s bottom and adding fresh gravel at least once a month.
What Plants To Keep In Your Platy Fish Tank?
I recommend that you plant plants in your aquarium that are not toxic to platys, like Java moss. You can also use aquatic flora such as Duckweed if desired because it’s non-toxic, but I would not recommend adding more than two types of plants in your tank.
You may be tempted to say that any plant will do, but some work better than others. I recommend the three types of plants most for Platy fish tanks: java ferns, anacharis, and water sprite. These all like the same conditions as they live in and are sturdy enough to live in a tank.
I personally prefer to use plants that are safe with this type of substrates, like Dwarf Baby Tears or Java Moss, but many options are depending on what you’re looking for in an aquarium.
FAQ
Can New Gravel Kill a Planktonic Catfish or Fry?
No. It will not kill your fry or planktons, and it is ok to use new gravel as long as you wash the material before adding it to the tank.
No, as long as you use a safe type of gravel for your fish, it shouldn’t be an issue. Some types contain chemicals like copper that can harm or kill the Platy fish, but many types don’t have this risk.
Is Changing Water Daily Bad?
Changing the water every day can be bad if you have a lot of gravel in your tank. That’s because it takes time for the beneficial bacteria to grow back and release toxins into the water. So, removing them all at once will cause rapid spikes in ammonia levels that are not good for anyone, including your fish or plants.
If you want to clean the gravel, I recommend using a siphon on your aquarium to suck up any debris. Then you can vacuum out the substrate from your tank with a small brush or sucking it through an airline tube so that there is no visible dirt left behind.
You should change the water in your tank every day as long as you have done so for more than two weeks. This will help keep bacteria levels low and ensure no contaminants are left from food or other debris in the aquarium.
Conclusion
Gravel can be beneficial or dangerous for your Platy fish, so it’s important to read about the type of gravel you want to use and ensure that it is safe.
There are many types of plants to keep in a tank, but I recommend java ferns or anacharis because they thrive best with this substrate material.