Need Bottom feeder besides corys...

[MrKrispy]

Hey all, I need some advice:

I would like to get some bottom feeders to clean up my gravel. I have a planted tank with primarily tetras, and the ghost shrimp don't seem to last too long in my tank. I don't know if it is plant tabs or what. I don't want corys because the gravel is kind big, sort of resembles crushed shells, and wouldn't be real friendly on their barbels. Any good suggestions?

 

[mike the zealot]

ancistrus don't get too big. Bristlenose are crazy gravel cleaners. Is the gravel sharp?

 

[fishysmell]

How big of a tank are we talking? If its reasonable sized, kuhli loaches are always a good option, I think they'll be fine w/ the sharp gravel. Also cherry barbs are basically bottom feeders. they'll do anything for extra food. The only thing is is that the females do most of the scouring the gravel so you would have to get a school mainly of females. I have 7 (6 F, 1 M) in my 24 gallon and they keep the gravel pretty clean.

 

[MrKrispy]

The gravel doesn't seem to be sharp, not like lava rock or anything. I have a 46 gal Bowfront, not long, so I don't know if that is okay for a kuhli loach or not. I wanted to avoid a bristlenose because I thought it would eat my plants.



Thanks for the help!

 

[wethead]

Bristlenose only eat the algae & leave the plants unharmed. I've seen these guys graze the algae clean off a leaf with no ill effects at all, great fish. I have a female that was given to me 4+yrs. ago & she was 8yrs old at the time, that makes her my oldest fish clocking in at 12 & still doing a great job with the algae. I'd also recomend all loaches as bottom dwellers, such as skunks....Rich

 

[fishysmell]

Ya kuhlis would work great. Just get a school of them, 5 or so, so they feel comfortable. I highly recommend them and all loaches like wethead said. Great fish. Bristlenose are good for algae but I don't know about clean up duty on the bottom. Thats loach territory.

 

[N©KI]

OTTO CATS!

 

[MrKrispy]

I have a few Ottos NOKI, but I would need a LOT for my 50 gal. Plus the attrition rate is pretty high for them. I like them, like shrimp too, but neither of them last. I am not sure I want a bunch of loaches running around, plus I am not familiar with them. I wish I could have a couple of corys, they rule. I guess I will pick up a bristlenose and see how it goes. Thanks for the adivce everyone!

 

[wethead]

When you look for a bristlenose, make sure it does'nt look starved. MANY pleco's i've seen in shops have stopped eating & when this happens, it's almost impossible to get them started again. I think thats what 's happening with alot of hobbyists who put questions up on this board when they have no luck keeping thier pleco's alive.....Rich

 

[MrKrispy]

Just an update: I borrowed a bristlenose from my Mom's tank (as long as I took a couple of her guppies) and it seems to be doing well. I already had 3 Ottos. The bristlenose hides most of the day but he is making headway on the algae on rocks and stuff. The back glass had a lot of algae growth, I don't know if they will ever get to it.

Anyone know if the bristlenose will eat food fallen in to the gravel?

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

[ducksarefun]

Is the regular gravel that you buy too sharp for corys? Or is it just stuff like crushed coral etc?

 

[bluegourami2]

get a fiddler crab.

they are the most excellent cleaners i have ever seen. They'll even snack on fish waste (sorry that's kinda gross). Just make sure that you cover up any holes as they tend to be escape artists. Get a female, since their claws are smaller and they can't grab any of your fish.

 

[bluegourami2]

another thing to add.

the substrate wont bother it because of the shell and they should be able to reach through and get stuff out of the gravel. they do an excellent job.

 

[Angelfish]

Did you decide on the bristlenose already? If not you may want to consider pictus cats, they are a fine fish.

 

[MrKrispy]

Another update: I have had the bristlenose cat for a few weeks now, and he seems to be doing fine. I have a couple of ottos in there with him and they still can't keep up on the algae. I give them some small pieces of zuccini once a week as a treat, as thanks for eating the algae. The bristlenose still hides a lot, I guess that is expected. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[mike the zealot]

bristlenose are nocturnal

I've been told by a person I respect quite a bit as far as fish info, that 1 oto will take care of a 55 gallon. I know the one I gave my father-in-law cleaned up his algae ridden 20 gallon in a bout 2 days

 

[beaver8888]

yoyo loach depending on the size of your tank

 

[Angelfish]

I'll give you a yoyo loach free!!

 

[Serpio]

Originally posted by fishysmell
How big of a tank are we talking? If its reasonable sized, kuhli loaches are always a good option, I think they'll be fine w/ the sharp gravel.

What are the tank size requirement for keeping kuhli loaches? I thought they are pretty small fish.

 

[dafishkilla]

get ya one of them crawdades! mine was constantly pickin the gravel ,, that was before that katfish ateum