View Full Version : Recommendation for bottom dweller for 55 please
tetramoon13
10-19-2010, 1:04 PM
Hey there,
I'm looking for a bottom dweller or 2 for my 55 gallon heavily planted tank. Current stocking is 6 giant danios, 4 tiger barbs, 8 gold barbs, and 1 blue gourami. I have had otos and small loaches in the past, and they never did well, due to always being out competed for food. I would always try and put blanched veggies in there, or place small wafers where I thought the others would not get them, but they always do. So I need something big enough to defend itself, but something that will not kill the others!
If you would be kind enough to make some suggestions, I will take my research from there, thanks!
bangme33
10-19-2010, 1:07 PM
i find cory's to be best bottom dwellers, or loaches
tetramoon13
10-19-2010, 1:21 PM
I have always wanted to keep cories, but I'm pretty sure I would run into the same feeding issue after awhile. The barbs were never aggressive in the sense that they would attack the smaller fish, but they do have very aggressive feeding habits...the only ones the tiger barbs bother is each other.
Rbishop
10-19-2010, 7:44 PM
a small pleco like a rubber nose or bristle nose? Actually, even the cories should work if tank is fed at lights out...they will clean what the barbs can't see, IME.
stephcps
10-19-2010, 8:09 PM
I have kept cories successfully with tiger barbs. They actually do quite well with scavenging food from the bottom. I even raised some juvies in with my barbs and they are now quite fat and hardy!!
BambooGoanna
10-19-2010, 8:32 PM
I think corys would be fine but if you're really concerned about them not being able to compete for food, then you could look at some brochis catfish. They're related to corys so they look similar and their care is pretty much the same. They'll get bigger then the average cory (usually around 4") so they don't have problems competing for food.
tetramoon13
10-20-2010, 8:24 AM
Thanks so much guys! those are great suggestions, I will probably go with a group of cories...but the small plecos sound very tempting, too!
tetramoon13
10-20-2010, 9:54 AM
ooo, how about pictus cats? I have read they can be difficult to keep.....they are so purty, though.
Bubbles2112
10-20-2010, 10:06 AM
How about some bristlenosed plecos? They are many different colors and types.
tetramoon13
10-20-2010, 12:17 PM
I was just looking at some pics of albino BN plecos....they are really cool! My LFS has them!
user_name
10-20-2010, 1:04 PM
I was just looking at some pics of albino BN plecos....they are really cool! My LFS has them!
BN plec's are my favorite, I currently have 3 juvies getting ready to move into my 55g. Make sure that they have driftwood in the tank to munch, because their digestive system will wear down without it. Good luck!
user_name
10-20-2010, 1:06 PM
I almost forgot, mine enjoy blanched zuchuini and hikari algae wafers, although I'm sure other wafers will work fine.
stephcps
10-20-2010, 1:43 PM
I do love my BN plecos!! I have had some pictus cats now for a couple of weeks. They are fun and very pretty!! I love them all, which is why I have them all!!
The only thing about pictus is they are gonna get 4-5 inches and like to be in a group of 3-4.