Substrate or BB?

[caoboy]

Question.

Would a Bare Bottom tank be ok with a Fahaka? I've got a new tank for the little guy, but am unsure whether I want to go BB or add more flourite to the new tank. No more plants for me, just a rock hard scape and some driftwood.

[yunachin]

Some fahakas like to burrow and a substrate would be a plus to have. Sand would be best as it is easy on their soft skin but you can choose something else if you wanted to. I have aragonite in my tank, but my fahaka has never burrowed...to my knowledge. I do have Pagoda stone and driftwood completely filling the tank and giving him cubbyholes to hide in.

[Pufferpunk]

Mine never burrowed unless he was stressed or spooked by something. Substrate--definately, it gives more surface for benefitial bacteria to grow on & makes a more natural environment for the fish.

Did you cycle that tank for him?

[caoboy]

The tank isn't set up yet, he's in a temporary 30g tank. I'm just about ready to set it all up after a build the stand for it, and he's still a baby at about 3 inches, so no worries on him outgrowing his temp tank.

I guess I'll keep the substrate, I wanted to do something different, but it WOULD be better for the lil puffer.

[edmlfc1]

I vote for the substrate also. I just don't think the bb tanks look natural.

[Nick]

If you want a basically zero care substrate, you can just put a 1/8"-1/4" sand "dusting" on the bottom.

[crazedpuffer]

I've had bare bottom, and I hate it. Definitely do a substrate.