I need a catfish and sucker fish

[Komodo]

What catfish and sucker fish work well with Cichlids?

I like Plecostomus, I also like Clown loach can they work?




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[Rivers2k]

First cichlids describe thousands of fish. I assume you are referring to African (Mbuna) cichlids as they are the most commonly referred to as just cichlid.

Plecos do fine with african cichlids all though you have to watch out as common plecos get very very large.

I would not do a clown loach with african cihlids all though I have seen people do it. Many people do synodontis catfish with africans. Synodontis come in in many different shapes and sizes.

Another issue is you said need a pleco? do you think you need a pleco due to algae? Some people think they need a "suckerfish" to clean algae but in truth what they really need is more water changes because plecos give off allot of waste which actually contributes to the algae growth. So if you have an algae problem for go the pleco and just do more water changes.

 

[CoronaBlue]

Which Africans are you referring to? I have a Malawi tank. In the tank I have a bristle nose pleco and a Feather Fin catfish. The catfish doesn't take crap from anyone in the tank and usually is the aggressor if they hang out in the cave he has claimed. Mbuna's like algae and will pick it off the rocks. There really isn't a "need" for one unless you like them. Common plecos are very dirty fish, I would avoid them if all possible.

 

[Bichir Bro]

First cichlids describe thousands of fish. I assume you are referring to African (Mbuna) cichlids as they are the most commonly referred to as just cichlid.

Plecos do fine with african cichlids all though you have to watch out as common plecos get very very large.

I would not do a clown loach with african cihlids all though I have seen people do it. Many people do synodontis catfish with africans. Synodontis come in in many different shapes and sizes.

Another issue is you said need a pleco? do you think you need a pleco due to algae? Some people think they need a "suckerfish" to clean algae but in truth what they really need is more water changes because plecos give off allot of waste which actually contributes to the algae growth. So if you have an algae problem for go the pleco and just do more water changes.

Very true
I actually think only a handful of Plecos (out of hundreds and hundreds) actually eat algae.


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[Coursair]

I don't recommend Clown Loaches as they should be in groups and get large.

If you have Algae, put your light on a timer and reduce lighting to 6-8 hours and increase water changes and feed less.

There is no fish that eats every kind of Algae.

Are you setting up AFRICAN Cichlids or ???

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[Komodo]

Sorry, I am thinking of putting together a 90 gallon tank with African cichlids. (Malawi) is my first choice.




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[Komodo]

Which Africans are you referring to? I have a Malawi tank. In the tank I have a bristle nose pleco and a Feather Fin catfish. The catfish doesn't take crap from anyone in the tank and usually is the aggressor if they hang out in the cave he has claimed. Mbuna's like algae and will pick it off the rocks. There really isn't a "need" for one unless you like them. Common plecos are very dirty fish, I would avoid them if all possible.

Both your suggestions are good. In a 90 gallon tank with about fifteen fish, how many Bristle nose pleco and Feather Fin catfish do you recommend?

 

[Fishy Smell]

Featherfin squeaker (synodontis)?
As long as it's a fair bit bigger than the cichlids.


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[Fishy Smell]

Sorry, your reply wasn't there when I started typing. Featherfin IME get a bit snappy with each other, so 1 might be best. You could do more, but I'd stick to one. I have 1 Featherfin with 1 Decorus in a 130G with other things and they get along ok. My decorus is huge and a superb animal.



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[CoronaBlue]

I would suggest one of each. My Mbuna's graze algae on the rocks and I wipe the glass down once a week when I do WC but I don't have algae build up on the glass, just a little slime. I feed NLS to the tank, never see the BN going after the pellets so he gets most of his intake off the underside of the rocks and the sponge filter I have set up.

 

[Coursair]

Planet Catfish recommends Bogwood as part of BN diet, which would not fit an African Tank ( might lower PH). http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=49

I'd say Featherfin Squeaker , Synodontis eupterus is a good choice.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=121

Tank bred BN are used to a wider range of PH, but it just doesn't seem like a great fit for me JMHO.


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[Anthonysafricans]

I say syndontis lucippini and you could do 5.....great clean up crew

 

[snugtony]

this is my clean up crew lol


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[Anthonysafricans]

Synodontis eurptus nice....

 

[snugtony]

He's a beauty


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