What Bottom feeder should I get?

[inspiringmind]

Have about a month old 10 gallon tank. And even though the Fancy Mollies seem to eat some of the bottom I would feel much better if I got an actual "Bottom Feeder" to help keep the tank a little bit cleaner. The tank has a filter and a heater (Is a tropical tank.) and has the following fish in it right now:

2 Small Mollies (One whom of which is very pregnant!)
2 Fancy Mollies
1 Male Betta

Any suggestions of what kind to get?

Thanks!

Mary

 

[flamingonhot]

HOw about a little group of kuhli loaches? THey go through the gravel and search for food and will constantly do this once they get used to your tank.

 

[inspiringmind]

I researched the fish a little bit and noticed it said they work better in groups of 4. Was wondering if there was another with a smaller group?

Mary

 

[flamingonhot]

All loaches like groups but kuhlis dont have to be,they will do fine but if you have a group they seem to be a little more active.Just try 2 if you have to.

Why cant you have 4? Thats not a whole lot a fish when you are talking about kuhli loaches.

 

[Tiffi]

Pretty much every bottom feeder would be better in a small group or get to big for your tank.

Corydoras don't eat algae, otocinclus do though. But really good IMO would be to get some Amano or other shrimp. They don't fall into that 1"/gal rule and keep your tank sparkling.
Amanos eat EVERYTHING, algae, detrius, food leftovers, only dead plants and so on. They are nice to fishies, but cannot be kept with really big ones, cuz they would eat the shrimp. Plus they are really interesting to watch.

You would need to make sure that you don't have heavy metals, exspecially copper in your tank (copper pipes in the house or fish medicaments) cuz then they'll die rather quickly.

Check back on the Fish and Plant Profiles, there should be coming a profile about Amano Shrimp from me during the next few days.

 

[inspiringmind]

OK was just checking....I can have 4...well, if hubby says it's ok to go buy 4 I would rather they be more active. Thanks for the tip. I am gonna go out in a littlw while and see about gettig them!

Mary

 

[Blazeherd2306]

Why not shrimp? Ghost shrimp will eat hair algae, detritus, and just about anything that's edible.

 

[Bubble_B0y]

OK was just checking....I can have 4...well, if hubby says it's ok to go buy 4 I would rather they be more active. Thanks for the tip. I am gonna go out in a littlw while and see about gettig them!

Mary

wouldn't 4 kuhli loaches be too much for a 10 gallon??

 

[Blazeherd2306]

would 4 be too much for a 10 gallon??

Yes, thats 20" of just khuli loaches(max size is 5"), and she's already overstocked.

 

[An t-iasg]

Yes, I agree that four kuhli loaches in a 10 gallon tank will be way too overstocked. IMO, 20 gallons is even a bit small for four kuhli loaches.

I think the ghost or amano shrimp suggestion is a good idea. These shrimp will search for bits of uneaten food at the bottom of the tank, and they will eat regular flake food. They will not eat other fish's waste, so you'll need to keep doing your gravel vacs with each water change to keep the bottom of the tank clean. I have read that amano shrimp will eat some types of algae also, which is good to have in a planted tank, if you go that route.

 

[Aquarium Man]

I concur with the Ghost Shrimp also
Good Luck

 

[duugong]

i am also setting up a new tank, 44 gallon i think, and was also thinking about a cleaning crew. i plan to move my 3 clown loaches into there and it already contains one dwarf gourami and a couple of congo tetras (planning to get a few more.) i like the idea of shrimp but havnt seen any round here and am worried about their metal sensitivity. so should i get corys ore khuilis?

 

[Bubble_B0y]

so should i get corys ore khuilis?

get both !!!
maybe 3 of each (since your planning on moving the clown loaches)

 

[coolchinchilla]

Another thought is to get a couple apple snails. They don't eat fish waste but they do eat leftover food and algae on your tank walls. Check out this site for more info: www.applesnail.net