Fish Requiring Substrate

[Slayvoff]

What fish (that can fit in a 55 gal) require a substrate? I am trying to weigh how interested I am in those fish vs. if I want to deal with substrate in the tank.

On a similar note, does sand weigh more or less per unit of area than salt water? So would the tank weigh more or less with 40 pounds of sand or with that space occupied by just extra saltwater?

 

[4FordFamily]

Sand sifting gobies, and leopard, halichoeres genus, and several other genus of wrasse require substrate.

 

[Maritimer]

Any of the jawfish or garden eels would obviously require substrate as well.

For the sand-sleeping wrasses, folks will keep a tupperware or similar container with sand hidden in the back of a bare-bottom tank. The fish will usually find and use it.

As for weight, anything that sinks has a higher specific gravity / is heavier than water. If it's lighter than water, it'll float.

~Bruce