Suitable bottom feeders for Goldfish

[KeepingTheBeat]

I currently have 2 goldfish in a 10 gal tank. I noticed tonight that despite tank maintenance and careful feeding, they have alot of buildup on the bottom. I was wondering if a bottom feeding catfish (like a cory) would help. The tank stays at about 71-72 degrees which I am afraid would be too cold for a catfish, plus I never see any other fish in with goldfish (except for the WalMart next town over that had Angelfish with Goldfish last nite, maybe because out of 30 tanks this was the only tank that had anything but corpses in it *off subject I know but I have never seen a more horrible sight in my life than what I witnessed there*

Okay...got that outta my system...what do you guys think?

 

[Oneworldonetrib]

gold fish are messy fish... my dad has two large ones in a 55 gallon tank that he has to clean often.....try to find a catfish that doesnt get very big i guess... im new with catfish.. im still trying to figure out what mine are.. i think im pretty close tho... and im so sorry about yer walmart experience thats horrible!!!

 

[cadams]

A dojo/weather loach would work. They will be fine in cooler water and will scavange the bottom. Keep in mind they can get up to 6 inches so plan ahead for another large fish with the goldfish.

 

[KeepingTheBeat]

I had forgotten all about dojo loaches. I'm going to have to look into them. I plan on upgrading the goldfish tank in the semi-near future to either a 29 or 55 gal, depending on what I can get my hands on, so hopefully everyone will have room. Are dojo loaches like kuhli loaches in that they need to be in a group? Would 2 be okay?

 

[cadams]

I have my dojo by himself and he's fine. But I don't see why you couldn't put 2 or even 3 in a large tank with other fish.

 

[Brobro]

here is some info on dojo loaches:

http://aquahobby.com/gallery/gdojo.html

http://freshaquarium.about.com/library/profiles/blfw0055.htm

http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/wloach.html

i think u would be fine with 2, just as long as u get at least a 29 gallon

 

[Sammy77]

I hate to butt in, but I couldn't help but notice that this thread is exact to what I am looking for. I have 3 goldish. 2 of them are about 4-5 inches, and i have a 2 inch one. We have an algae cleaner, but hes not helping whats on the bottom of the tank, though, he is useful for the algae that grows on the side of the tank. Beleive it or not, my two current big goldfish come from walmart. lol, though, I have to say, petco is disappointing me with their large numbers of dead fish that are in each tank.

However, I was wandering if their might be more 'attractive' bottom feeders other then the dojo. I have to say, my algae eater isn't all that great looking, but I suppose he is doing his job. Anyways, Any ideas of what I can get for my tank? Or is the dojo THE best way to go?

 

[d3sc3n7]

KeepingtheBeat: That tank is to small for those goldfish anyway. Rule of thumb for goldfish is 20 gallons for the first one, 10 for each one after that. So, I would say you need at least the 29g tank. (1 gallon off is ok, lol) As far as the bottome feeders, cory cats would work well. they dont get to big...and do a good job. I've not had the dojo's so I cant say on them.

 

[SAE]

Your 10 gallon is far too small for 2 goldies unfortunately. I made the same mistake when I first got mine.

Dojos do better in groups and carry a large enough bioload on their own. Also don't think that they eat mulm on the bottom of the tank. No fish eats other fishes' feces. Please don't get any dojos unless you have a much larger tank.

You need at least a 30 gallon for your goldies if they're comets and less if they're fantails. Either way, they need a high amount of filtration to keep up with their bioload.

Pls review the articles at thegab.org for lots of good goldie info.