Is Pea Gravel A Problem For Corydoras Punctatus?

Ibought a couple of corydoras punctatus about a month ago. I was unsure about the pea gravel I have but the LFS said it wouldn't be a problem for them. I really like them and would like to buy more. I was considering changing to sand substrate but I also like plants and know they don't do well in sand, and I can't afford the plant substrates. Is it possible to have gravel one end with plants and sand the other? or would this just become messy? any advice would be great. Thanks

I've read quite a lot about this on various forums and in articles since I would always want corydoras in any tank. They are really the perfect bottom feeders. Some people say they have kept corydoras on sharp substrates for years with no problem. There is an opinion that it is not the sharpness but the cleanliness of the substrate that is the problem, i.e. that the cause of barbel loss is infection from bacteria in a dirty substrate rather than mechanical damage from rough substrate. I should imagine that the worse combination would be sharp and dirty substrate which might first scratch the barbels and then infect them. In any case, if you have had yours for a month and their barbels look OK, then I doubt if there is anything to worry about.

Thanks guys, there is a lot to think about. I had also read about the dirty substrate being more of a problem Richard. The gravel is quite sharp in places. I'm not sure if there are any problems with the barbels but they look the same to me as when I first had them. I do like them a lot, and I would like them to be happy 
Well thanks for the tips I'll give things some more thought. I am trying to save for some Seachem flourite black sand which apparently is okay for corys and is also great for plants, but it is expensive. In the meantime I'll keep an eye on their barbels! 

Thanks for the reasurrance Leyther