Argonite Spawning Gravel

Aragonite is a naturally occurring calcium carbonate mineral that slowly dissolves in acidic water, releasing calcium and bicarbonate ions. This buffering effect makes it an excellent substrate for hard-water cichlid breeding tanks, maintaining stable alkaline pH and elevated GH and KH without requiring constant chemical intervention.

The fine 1–2mm grain size creates a natural-looking sand-like substrate that many cichlid species will sift, dig, and spawn over, mimicking the sandy lake beds and rocky margins of Lakes Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria. Aragonite gravel is particularly well-suited to shell-dwelling cichlids that excavate substrate around their shells, and to Haplochromis and Aulonocara species that court and spawn on open sandy areas. It is safe for all hard-water invertebrates as well.