What are some good bottom feeders for a cichlid tank?

tcarswell

tcarswell

Bichir guy
Jan 7, 2009
476
0
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38
Sacramento California
I got a 55 that is cycled (also equipped with an Eheim canister a top fin 60 hang on the back filter an AC110 hang on the back filter and an under gravel filter) the tank is holding 8 African cichlids. I plan on having about 15. I however want some good cleaner fish like cory's or my preference would be some catfish like a euruptus feather fin catfish I love those. What would be the best bottom food cleaner / eater ??

Thanks fellas and ladies ,
Tcarswell
 
I would first like to suggest not getting fish to "clean up". It's a common misconception that bottom dwelling fish can survive acting like vacuums. They need their own diet and will add to the mess as any other fish would. Plus, cleaning is your job.

If you want the fish solely because you like them the synodontis genus is about the only group of fish suitable to cichlid aquariums. Though it really depends on exactly which species you currently have. "Featherfins" (Synodontis eupterus) will grow too large for your tank size as they reach over 8". Go with something smaller and some syno's are social so keep that in mind. I'll leave others to give you specific species recommendations...
 
jpappy789 said:
I would first like to suggest not getting fish to "clean up". It's a common misconception that bottom dwelling fish can survive acting like vacuums. They need their own diet and will add to the mess as any other fish would. Plus, cleaning is your job.

If you want the fish solely because you like them the synodontis genus is about the only group of fish suitable to cichlid aquariums. Though it really depends on exactly which species you currently have. "Featherfins" (Synodontis eupterus) will grow too large for your tank size as they reach over 8". Go with something smaller and some syno's are social so keep that in mind. I'll leave others to give you specific species recommendations...
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I am aware of such, I just like bottom dwellers :) I know all to well they need their own food and special diet
 
I've got 1 lone syno petricola (4 of 5 were basically DOA when I got them) and 4 syno multis in my mbuna tank. They keep things cleaned up ... well if anything makes it down there at least. I have to feed them their own stuff after I've had the lights out a few hours so the other fish are sleeping or not as active
 
DrVader said:
Kop has it... synodontis sp. are worth checking out. Is your setup Malawi?
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I think so lol. This is my first cichlid tank. Ive kept every other fish it seems saltwater or fresh. Just never got in to cichlids besides the south americans until now. Its got some julies and yellow labs. :)
 
Synodontis multipunctatus stay small and are very cool fish. Pretty, too. :) They're great scavengers and will clean up uneaten food. That said, I do agree with Jpappy. If you purchase bottom dwellers you should purchase them in their own right, and not simply to do a job. It seems like you want to purchase them for reasons other than cleanup, and if so, I think you'll enjoy them. :)
 
severum mama said:
Synodontis multipunctatus stay small and are very cool fish. Pretty, too. :) They're great scavengers and will clean up uneaten food. That said, I do agree with Jpappy. If you purchase bottom dwellers you should purchase them in their own right, and not simply to do a job. It seems like you want to purchase them for reasons other than cleanup, and if so, I think you'll enjoy them. :)
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I have had cat fish and corys and loaches before plenty of them :) I know how to keep them well fed on a diverse diet. The cleanup is just a plus if they do it. Other wise I got a ton of filters and I change 70% of the water every week with a gravel vac. :)
 
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