Black or white sand with DP's?

[knoids]

Should I get black or white sand with my Dwarf puffers? Which color sand looks the best with Dwarf Puffers?

[bertie 83]

IMO black sand makes their colour too dark making them difficult to spot, light sand would be a nicer to the eye choice but is more difficult to keep looking clean. Fine light gravel would be a better choice

[RTR]

If the tank is heavily planted, as it should be, the substrate color will not matter as much.

But black substrates do darken the tank and the fish do adapt their coloring to reduce contrast and thus be less obvious to predators.

[knoids]

Maybe I will get natural-colored sand then.

[Terrance]

white sand looks very messy. light brownish color is better.

I prefer the black sand though.

[knoids]

If the tank is heavily planted, as it should be, the substrate color will not matter as much.

But black substrates do darken the tank and the fish do adapt their coloring to reduce contrast and thus be less obvious to predators.

Do you think that since there will be a light, it will have a negative effect on the dark colors?

[Arny]

I had black gravel with DP's and it was hard to see them properly. I to would rather use brown sand

[RTR]

I always assume aquariums will have a light.

Se Amy's comment above.

I'd go with the natural color sand rather than black or white but that is personal choice. I'used black substrtes in heavily planted tanks w/Neon or other fish with strong prismatic colors and it looks great, but with most pigment colors it does cause the fish to darken more than I like. Darkening to reduce contrast with the substrate can be a survival trait in the wild. FW fish with strong prismatic colors tend to be from peaty waters where such coloring aids the schools in keeping individuals in sight in tannin-stained water.

HTH

[knoids]

I think I will do natural colored sand then!