looking for a fun bottom feeder

jenricae · 02-07-2010, 12:35 PM

Can anyone recommend a bottom feeder that is:

-is not too small (smaller than 3"). Can live with larger fish without getting eaten
-doesn't get too large (over 5-6")
-fun, likes to get around nice gravel, rocks, plants and driftwood with lots of nooks and places to explore
-works singly, in 2s or in 3s (or even 4s) but doesn't need a large shoal live comfortably

Haven't stocked the tank yet but am trying to figure out what to put in there.

Thanks!

Sharkee · 02-07-2010, 02:07 PM

I was going to say clown loach but he does not fit all of your requirements. He can grow well over your 6 inch limit if not for that, it would have been a perfect match. How big is your tank?

jenricae · 02-07-2010, 02:26 PM

the tank is 36g. Don't clown loaches need to be in groups?

lauraf · 02-07-2010, 03:14 PM

Again, I recommend Pakistani (yoyo) loaches. I had just two before I added two more, and they were super happy together. Very active - 'squirrelly, I call them! - and fun to watch. They will eventually max out at about 5", so should be okay in your tank. I bought mine when they were about 2.5", and no one in the tank picked on them at all.

Sharkee · 02-07-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenricae

the tank is 36g. Don't clown loaches need to be in groups?

They certainly are happier in groups but they're okay on their own. Just make sure that your other fishes are not shy-types as the clown loach will mimic them. I have my loach with a gourami, red-tailed shark and a common pleco and Clowney is thriving. he actually swims "standing up" to the top of the tank during feeding time. This shows that he's very comfy of where he is.

Flowmsp · 02-07-2010, 03:53 PM

My all time favorite bottom feeder is Kuhli Loaches, i have 3 big fatties! I will be adding a few more to my collection once i get my new tank setup!

hayer · 02-08-2010, 06:36 PM

i recommend cories. i love the little rascals:-).

lauraf · 02-08-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayer

i recommend cories. i love the little rascals:-).

Aren't cories happier in a group? At least three? Dunno . . . .

big54bob · 02-08-2010, 08:59 PM

Loaches pwn all other bottem feeders. Never getting catfish again. Love the bugger.

I have 3 redtail sand loaches. They are like a mix between a kuhli and a Yoyo loach. They are pretty skittish so provide a few hiden spots.

Der_Bradly · 02-08-2010, 10:21 PM

Cories FTW.

02-07-2010, 12:35 PM	#1
jenricae Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 14	looking for a fun bottom feeder Can anyone recommend a bottom feeder that is: -is not too small (smaller than 3"). Can live with larger fish without getting eaten -doesn't get too large (over 5-6") -fun, likes to get around nice gravel, rocks, plants and driftwood with lots of nooks and places to explore -works singly, in 2s or in 3s (or even 4s) but doesn't need a large shoal live comfortably Haven't stocked the tank yet but am trying to figure out what to put in there. Thanks!

02-07-2010, 02:07 PM	#2
Sharkee Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 97	I was going to say clown loach but he does not fit all of your requirements. He can grow well over your 6 inch limit if not for that, it would have been a perfect match. How big is your tank? __________________ my fish is my command Last edited by Sharkee; 02-07-2010 at 02:16 PM..

02-07-2010, 03:14 PM	#4
lauraf Medium Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 408	Again, I recommend Pakistani (yoyo) loaches. I had just two before I added two more, and they were super happy together. Very active - 'squirrelly, I call them! - and fun to watch. They will eventually max out at about 5", so should be okay in your tank. I bought mine when they were about 2.5", and no one in the tank picked on them at all. __________________ 39g 2 gorgeous golden angelfish - a breeding pair 2 peaceful pearl gouramis 4 squirrelly Pakistani loaches 3 frantic cories 5 asst'd platies 5 von rio tetras 2 multipunctatae 1 fat SAE 1 albino bristlenose pleco 3 zebra snails 5g my first angelfish fry, 10 weeks old

02-08-2010, 06:36 PM	#7
hayer Little Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 161	i recommend cories. i love the little rascals:-). __________________ 90 Gallon 2 angelfish;1 koi and 1 gold veil 5 boeseman rainbows 6 black skirt tetras 4 serpae tetras 3 platies 1 rainbow shark 4 cory cats 1 golden dojo loach 1 BN pleco [U]46 Gallon Bowfront[/U 6 black neon tetras 6 white cloud mountain minnows 2 cory cats 2 BN plecos 29 Gallon Saltwater 1 Cherub Angelfish 3 Scarlet Hermitcrabs (PS. jk about the avatar, just thought it is funny)

02-08-2010, 08:59 PM	#9
big54bob Super Fish Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: On my office chair playing Runescape Posts: 1,300	Loaches pwn all other bottem feeders. Never getting catfish again. Love the bugger. I have 3 redtail sand loaches. They are like a mix between a kuhli and a Yoyo loach. They are pretty skittish so provide a few hiden spots. __________________

02-07-2010, 02:26 PM	#3
jenricae Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 14	the tank is 36g. Don't clown loaches need to be in groups?

02-07-2010, 03:53 PM	#6
Flowmsp Little Fish Join Date: May 2006 Location: Winter Haven Florida Posts: 104	My all time favorite bottom feeder is Kuhli Loaches, i have 3 big fatties! I will be adding a few more to my collection once i get my new tank setup!

02-08-2010, 10:21 PM	#10
Der_Bradly Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 19	Cories FTW.