please suggest

R

rickr01

AC Members
Mar 6, 2007
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Hi,

Can somebody please suggest a good cold water bottom feeder for a small 10 gallon cold water tank with 4 white clouds currently living in the tank. The Tetra flake seems to settle pretty quick despite my small once a day feeding.

Also, the white clouds seem healthy and the water tests good but they spend most of their time swimming at the top of the tank? I have a whisper in tank hanging filter and though maybe it was not providing enough oxygen particularly since I also have a tank cover over the top. I then purchased a air pump and long oxygen stone but they still spend most of the time swimming at the top of the tank. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I think a brig apple snail, probably listed as a mystery snail at your LFS, would be your best bet. These guys however do need to be fed fresh veggies such as zucchini or cucumber. They also like to eat fresh apple and potato. They are VERY interesting creatures and I highly recommend them. If you don't want babies though, I would only get 1.
 
Thanks,

I now remember that someone recommended a snail earlier on when my son and I first established the aquarium. Also shrimp if I am not mistaken? I was thinking more along the lines of a cat fish. Is there a hardy cold water variety that will help clean up any falling Tetra flakes. Also, is it ok to be feeding the white clouds only the Tetra flakes?
Thanks again. This is a fun hobby and a great and informative forum. These little aquatic friends are becoming family members! It's neat to watch the kids and how much they care for their new friends!
 
Yeah, I believe the flakes are fine for the white clouds. Being that the tank is so small, its hard to suggest an actual fish for the bottom. If it were a tropical tank, I would suggest pygmy cories. But, they need warmer temperatures than the white clouds. Maybe a hillstream loach? You may need to find out how large they get as I'm not really sure. Yes, some ghost shrimp would do a fine job of cleaning up any uneaten food as well. It's pretty cool to watch them because their stomachs turn the color of whatever food they've eaten.
 
Hillstream loaches get too big for 10 gallons, plus they prefer a tank with a strong current.

Basic info on Hillstream Loaches: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile91.html

I think that for a 10-gallon with no heater, a snail would probably be best.

"More Good Fish for a Cool Water Aquarium:
Fancy Goldfish are available in many interesting shapes and beautiful colors. White Clouds, Crabs, Ghost Shrimp, Tadpoles, Aquatic Snails, and Live Plants all do well in a Cool Water Aquarium with Goldfish, and all can eat the same food such as TetraFin Flakes.
If you are looking to add a bizarre fish, a Dragon Fish may be just perfect for your aquarium. But keeping a Dragon Fish requires more skill than keeping Goldfish, and Dragon Fish need to eat live food such as Ghost Shrimp."
 
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Thanks,

I am intriqued by the description of the ghost shrimp. I am going to get two of those. Is that an ok number. We currently have only 4 white clouds in the tank. We are contemplating two more white clouds for a decent school total of 6 white clouds and two ghost shrimp. Not too much for a ten gallon I don't think?
 
Probably 4 or 5 ghosts are fine. They don't create a lot of waste. They stay pretty small as well. You may never see 2 of them.

With white clouds though, frequent water changes are a must. They love plants as well.
 
Yes, Thanks to all who offered advice! Although we only have a 10 gallon, I am enjoying this as much as the kids. I have been spying a 55 gallon. Hooked! no pun intended.
 
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