CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I was wondering what most of you use for gravel for your oscars??

Has anyone ever used Tahitan Moon sand??

My oscar pics up his medium sized rocks, I worry that he will try to eat one. . I just dont know of any sand thats finer than the Tahatan Moon sand.

Thanks so much

I prefere using gravel in my Oscars tanks since Oscars dig sand can some times get in to the filter and damage it. I use natural pea sized gravel and never had any problems with it! and you don't have to worry about your O eating any of it, the only thing that could happen is a few grains of gravel getting caught in your Oscar's gills as he or she picks up mouth fulls and spits it. but they usually end up spitting it out with no problem!

Stricken's reply is excellent -- Oscars that dig and like to nose around in the gravel know what they're doing

The only thing I would suggest is to avoid anything with sharp edges. --Mark

So I should have gravel that is small enough that he can pass it through his gills?? Because the roks I have now are about as big as nickels but round. . he picks them up and spits them back out of his mouth.  I just worry that he will try to send it to his tummy and try to chew it up.  So the sand is a bad idea????
Thanks again

Sand is great for other types of fish tanks but not really good with Oscars and other types of cichlids that love to move things around in they're tank! And yes you should definitely stick to gravel  ! You could switch to a smaller sized gravel if you wish too.But the gravel you have in your tank now is good too! and you don't have to worry about your Oscar eating any of it. Oscars usually know the difference between food and decor or substrate!! And i agree with Mark, making sure that there is nothing sharp in your tank that could injure your Oscar as he or she moves the gravel around in the tank.

Hope my advice was helpful 

I have black sand in my tank and i used to have two medium sized O's in it now i just have a small one because i just got back into the hobby but ive used black sand almost the whole time. it they only dig in one corner of my tank and i think i adds character to the tank. but it does not do any harm to them just an inconvenience if you dont like that they move it.