It seems like there is a lot of misinformation out there about bottom feeders. I've read several times where someone says that although a fish is sold as an algae eater, they will only eat one kind of algae or only eat algae as a juvenile. I know I've read some get too large for your average aquarium. I also believe that some bottom feeders aren't going to do a lot for algae at all, but may be useful for scavenging, stirring up gravel and/or just adding interest and movement to the bottom of the tank. The problem is, being new to all of this, the names and info floats right back out of my head.
So, I thought it might be a good thing to have a thread with information on all of the most commonly available bottom feeders, their potential size, temperament, what they eat and should be fed and just general pros and cons. It would also be nice if both common and Latin names were given. I think it could be useful for other newbies as well.
I would love to hear about Otos, Bristlenose Cats (same as Bushynosed Cats?), Plecos, Upsidedown Cats, SAE, (have I heard something about False SAE?), CAE and any other commonly sold bottom feeders.
I have some Cory, so I could start with those, but correct me if I get anything wrong. I don't think it's really necessary to separate out all the different Cory, as they are very similar, as far as I can tell. With the exception of the Pygmy being quite a bit smaller.
Cory/Corydoras -Peppered (Corydoras paleatus), Bronze (Corydoras aeneus), Panda (Corydorus Panda), Albino (Corydoras aeneus albino)
Maximum size 1.75"-2.75", depending on variety.
Pygmy (Corydoras pygmaeus) maximum 1".
Should be kept in groups of three, at the minimum. Four or more is preferable. Active not only in dark, but during the day. They are clowns and add a lot of movement and interest to a tank. Peaceful.
Omnivores and bottom scavengers. Should be fed a variety of meaty and herbivore foods including flakes, pellets and sinking wafers designed especially for cory cats. Wafers can be fed after lights are out to give cory a better chance with less competition.
ETA: I apologize - I didn't realize there was a separate section just for bottom dwellers. Maybe a mod will want to move this thread there.
So, I thought it might be a good thing to have a thread with information on all of the most commonly available bottom feeders, their potential size, temperament, what they eat and should be fed and just general pros and cons. It would also be nice if both common and Latin names were given. I think it could be useful for other newbies as well.
I would love to hear about Otos, Bristlenose Cats (same as Bushynosed Cats?), Plecos, Upsidedown Cats, SAE, (have I heard something about False SAE?), CAE and any other commonly sold bottom feeders.
I have some Cory, so I could start with those, but correct me if I get anything wrong. I don't think it's really necessary to separate out all the different Cory, as they are very similar, as far as I can tell. With the exception of the Pygmy being quite a bit smaller.
Cory/Corydoras -Peppered (Corydoras paleatus), Bronze (Corydoras aeneus), Panda (Corydorus Panda), Albino (Corydoras aeneus albino)
Maximum size 1.75"-2.75", depending on variety.
Pygmy (Corydoras pygmaeus) maximum 1".
Should be kept in groups of three, at the minimum. Four or more is preferable. Active not only in dark, but during the day. They are clowns and add a lot of movement and interest to a tank. Peaceful.
Omnivores and bottom scavengers. Should be fed a variety of meaty and herbivore foods including flakes, pellets and sinking wafers designed especially for cory cats. Wafers can be fed after lights are out to give cory a better chance with less competition.
ETA: I apologize - I didn't realize there was a separate section just for bottom dwellers. Maybe a mod will want to move this thread there.