Help- Need Advice on bottomfeeder for 10g Aquarium

[IcebergSlim]

Hi, I am new to the hobby and just got a 10g aquarium for my birthday last month. I currently have 2 Dwarf Gourami's and 2 African Dwarf Frogs. I would like some advice on a recommended bottom feeder. I am currently considering either

2 cory cats -I heard these are a schooling fish so I would need at least 2. Not sure if that would be too many for my tank or if they eat algae.

Pleco - I've heard these are great for cleaning the aquarium but I am concerned about whether it would grow too big for a 10g

Algae Eater - Have seen these but don't know much about them.

If anyone could give me some advice it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[malkore]

no pleco is suited to a 10gallon tank.

cory cats don't eat algae, but the do scavenge food on the bottom for left over food.

for an algae eater, i'd look at otocinclus fish.

 

[IcebergSlim]

Thanks for the advice. I looked into the Otocinclus catfish and read that it is a schooling fish. What would you say would be a better choice? 2 Cory Cats to clean the leftover food from the bottom or 2 Otocinclus Catfish to clean the algae. I'm not sure which is more important.

 

[redwhiptailplec]

The otocinclus is defiantly the way to go, they do fine on there own but a pair might be nicer. Most Corys will get to about 4" while Otocinclus only reach 2" and are much better algae eaters.

 

[savga]

I have a rubberlip pleco and he is only about 2 inches and doesn't seem to be getting any bigger. This type of pleco might be suitable for a 10 gal.

 

[Guest]

You could consider buying a dwarf bristle nose pleco. My girlfriend has one in her 55 gallon tank and its only about 2-3 inches long. I don't think they get much bigger than that. Whatever you do don't make the mistake I did when i first bought a tank. I had a 10 gallon tank and bought a regular pleco that was about an inch at the time. Needless to say in a years time he gew to about 6-7 inches and was just huge for the 10 gallon tank. He then was moved to a 29 gallon tank where he was housed for a few weeks, and is now residing in my girlfriends 55 gallon tank where he is currently 8-9 inches. When he gets a little bigger he's going to have to be taken to a lfs that will take him. Hopefully he will end up in a bigger tank that he deserves. Btw, bristlenose plecos are excellent for keeping the tank clear of algae.

 

[FishLover14]

Get some otos and everything will be just fine!


JMHO

Dan

 

[Toirtis]

I would go with a pair of Otocinclus and a trio of pygmy cory cats....but at that point, your tank will be at its limit for livestock.

 

[IcebergSlim]

Thank You everyone for your help! I decided to go with a pair of otos.

 

[FishLover14]

Glad to Help

 

[penpitt]

What about ghost shrimp as a scavenger? I'm not sure if your fish or frogs would try to eat them but ghost shrimp do a heck of a job on picking up left over food.

 

[frog girl]

Just to add a note - I have seen my otos scavenge food so they will also do that.

 

[carpediem]

I have one of each (1 cory albino and 1 otocinclus), is that bad? They seemed to be doing just fine (before I gave them back to the fishstore until I am done cycling).

 

[Toirtis]

I have one of each (1 cory albino and 1 otocinclus), is that bad?.

Not good for the cory...they really need to be in schools for their long-term good.

 

[RoK]

Otos will eat algae and probably pellets but not sure if they eat left over flakes.