Different Kinds of Bottom Feeders

[c_paan]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium with a dempsey a firemouth and a electric blue. What Im wondering is what other then a pleco could I put in this tank to help clean the elgea growth.

I had these fish in a 20g while they were small with a pleco and three corys. They got use to the corys and didnt bother them. But I want to get something that wont get to big for the tank and also wont get constantly harassed while its doin its duty!

I have read posts about the red tailed shark, is this a bottom feeder? Will it clean or just occasionaly. If I could find a different kind of pleco at my lfs I would get one but I just want something very different and unique for this tank.

 

[Managuense]

hello. i understand where you are coming from, but you really cant think of plecos as "cleaning-up" your tank.

these guys will actually put more waste INTO your tank than they will ever clean out. i also have a large pleco (10in) but i only have him because i like him --not because he keeps my tank any cleaner (quite the opposite in fact)

i have large cichlids also and have found that the best scavengers that can take the beating of large cichlids are synodontis eupterus--- these catfish are tough as nails.

check this link bro- http://community-2.webtv.net/MorganaLaFey/StansAquariumPage/page14.html

this guy kept his syno eups with managuense, dovii, trimacs, etc. (certainly makes me feel better about keeping them with my 7in dempsey!)

 

[c_paan]

Thanks buddy, ill look imto those tonight. What about a pictus are they as good? Should I get more then one it is a big tank with lots of caves and drift wood. They get up to 5 inches I read somewhere is this true? How much do they usualy go for?