Community Bottom-Dweller.

[Fathomed]

Hi, I'm looking for a good community bottom-feeder so I don't have to worry about the fish food accumulating and getting dirty.

I use to have a Rainbow Shark but then I got a new tank and seperated my semi-agressive and community fish into 2 different tanks. It's too bad my community has mostly middle-top dwellers.

I would like some suggestions on community bottom feeders. Maybe oto cats? But I'm afraid of buying them and then having them die because they have a habit of dying when migrating into new tanks - so I hear anyway.

I'm housing the community tank in a 20 gallon with 5 tetras and 4 cherry barbs. I think there's still room for a few more fish but yeah I don't want to buy something that'll outgrow.

 

[Lager]

Ottos wont really eat left over food they like their veggies. Cory cats are the fish you are looking for. 3-5 will do a good job and they are a lot of fun to keep.

 

[gheitman]

I second the recommendation for some Corydoras. They are the perfect bottom feeders and very well behaved. The otos you can get if you have an algae problem.

 

[Fathomed]

Do Corydoras have tough skin? maybe I can buy two, one for my community and one for my sem-agressive. I don't want them to pick on though.

 

[Menagerie]

No, I would not put cories in with semi-aggressive. What size is the tank with the semi-aggressive and who is in there?

 

[Fathomed]

It is a 40g with a Rainbow Shark and a SAE. That's all so far, which is why I'm hoping to put more in there. XD

 

[Lager]

I don't think either of those fish would bother cories, but what else are you going to put in with them? I would not add them and cause yourself worries later. Just get a school for your community tank.

 

[Phoenixphire55]

I'll just chime in to agree. Anytime people ask about a bottom feeder for a community tank the first suggestion will be cories. Definitely get more than one. If you want to only get one bottom dweller then you should think about a bristlenose pleco. I'd say get five cories. They don't get too big and they are awesome, peaceful, and fun to watch. If you want something a little more exciting you should research catfish and find a peaceful fish that won't get too big for your tank. Another possibility would be a dojo loach (or two). I'm not sure about loaches but I think dojo or kuhlis can be good community fish. Not sure how good they are at cleaning up the bottom, but there aren't any fish who will actually serve as a real cleaner for your gravel. Some just make it slightly easier.

 

[AndrewH]

I love my Peppered Corydoras they are a lot of fun to watch and they clean up well.

 

[princessp714]

I know I will get beat up for this but I love my plecos! they are perfect cleaners, if you are worried about the sz they will get you could always get a handful of MTS and they will rock the house!!
I just bought 2 albino cories and they don't go near the bottom that much, I guess they are feeling out their new environment. GL

 

[Fathomed]

yeah, I think I'll go for a the cories in a peaceful community. What about me semi-agressive? I don't really need one, but suggestions are nice.

 

[princessp714]

the best for semi-agressive and agressive are the MTS (malasian trumpet snails) they burry into the substrate, are never seen and eat the left overs by traveling under the gravel/substrate other than that i am not sure but the snail population won't spike up if the semi-agressives can eat snails(baby MTS have softer shells and are good snacks) I had 1 with puffers and they ate the babies and the 1 MTS does a great job. good luck!