Are Corys Scavengers ?

[nagukush]

Hi Friends !

I've read that Corys are very good scavengers. Are all corys good scavengers ? Are loaches scavengers too ?

By 'scavenger', does one mean that they will eat the dead fish too ?

Kindly advice...
Thanks !
Kush

[Lupin]

A scavenger is basically a creature that feeds on detritus, dead creatures, etc. None of the bottom dwellers should be given the impression as "scavengers". Like all fish, they are opportunistic taking advantage of the dead creatures as their food. That should not be done in an enclosed ecosystem. Remove any dead fish you see as ammonia spike is the consequence here. Furthermore, treat them as you should do with other fish. Supplement them with a varied diet instead of leftovers. Sinking pellets, veggies, flakes, shrimps, mosquito larva, bloodworms and many more should be provided to them.

[Carp37]

Lupin's correct; I think pet stores tend to label catfish as scavengers meaning that they're largely bottom feeders that will eat food that's sunk through the water column and is sometimes ignored by tetras, gouramis etc. This doesn't mean that they don't need much food or a varied diet though- my corys, plecs and other catfish are the best looked-after of all my fish.

[nagukush]

Hi Friends !

Thanks for caring and for the kind replies.

Actually, to be honest ( I hope I dont sound artificial ) my favourites are Catfishes and all other bottom feeders. I love Loaches and Plecos and I plan to have a collection of many kinds of Loaches and Plecos soon. I have a few varieties of catfishes too and I just love them too much :)

I just wanted to know if Corys were scavengers because I have a lot of hard-to-reach places in my tank and I wanted to know if corys will do the job of eating the trapped food or an occassional smll dead fish etc...

Anyways thanks again for kind replies and for your views :)
Lots of Regards
Kush

[Fishy_Fun]

well you shouldn't really have a "occasional dead fish" if you keep up on everything

[loaches r cool]

Yes, they are bottom feeders in that they prefer to eat in the lower levels of the tank. but this does not mean they eat waste, actually very few aquarium fish eat waste. They simply eat food that sinks to the bottom. Loaches in the wild often eat snails, worms, shrimp, eggs, and whatever live critters happen to be on the bottom, never waste. A lot of fish however will eat another dead fish, but this shouldnt be an intential part of their diet.

[tanker]

"occasional dead fish"

:drool: