Bottom Dweller Fish Suggestions

[Camillemj]

Greetings,

I'm looking for suggestions for a bottom dweller fish for my 30 gallon community tank(16" deep by 36" long by 12" width). The tank is new and I am on the second week of fish-less cycling. I've got it set up with live plants(java fern) gravel, large rocks and afew plastic plants.

Previously I wanted corys (green or panda) BUT I have learned that they wouldn't like the gravel substrate. I love the medium gravel look, so changing the substrate is out. I am willing to add more caves/hiding places.

Can someone give me some suggestions for bottom dweller fishes that would be suitable with danios and platties.


Thanks

 

[fishy55599]

well most bottom feeders prefer sand as it will not harm their barbles

 

[doresy]

Yes, most bottom feeders perfer a sand substrate. Again, if you had sand I would suggest Goby. There are loads to choose from and they are great fun

 

[fishy55599]

i think possibly otos may work
shrimp also possible
if the gravel is rounded then most bottom feeders should be fine. but if its sharp then its not

 

[doresy]

i think possibly otos may work
shrimp also possible
if the gravel is rounded then most bottom feeders should be fine. but if its sharp then its not

It's not just the sharpness of the substrate that effect Cory and the like. With gravel food etc. gets between the stones and rots pretty quick offering bacterial infection to probing barbels. With sand the food etc. does not penetrate so much as it is all eaten quickly.

 

[fishy55599]

i think possibly otos may work
shrimp also possible
if the gravel is rounded then most bottom feeders should be fine. but if its sharp then its not

It's not just the sharpness of the substrate that effect Cory and the like. With gravel food etc. gets between the stones and rots pretty quick offering bacterial infection to probing barbels. With sand the food etc. does not penetrate so much as it is all eaten quickly.

oh i never new that

 

[doresy]

i think possibly otos may work
shrimp also possible
if the gravel is rounded then most bottom feeders should be fine. but if its sharp then its not

It's not just the sharpness of the substrate that effect Cory and the like. With gravel food etc. gets between the stones and rots pretty quick offering bacterial infection to probing barbels. With sand the food etc. does not penetrate so much as it is all eaten quickly.

oh i never new that

Besides, there is nothing more entertaining than watching Cory sifting sand through their gills......well apart from watching a tank full of Tanganyikans

 

[fishy55599]

i think possibly otos may work
shrimp also possible
if the gravel is rounded then most bottom feeders should be fine. but if its sharp then its not

It's not just the sharpness of the substrate that effect Cory and the like. With gravel food etc. gets between the stones and rots pretty quick offering bacterial infection to probing barbels. With sand the food etc. does not penetrate so much as it is all eaten quickly.

oh i never new that

Besides, there is nothing more entertaining than watching Cory sifting sand through their gills......well apart from watching a tank full of Tanganyikans

NO! there is nothing more entertaining than watching Corys carrying their eggs.

 

[Caprichoso]

I have 3-5mm river gravel and it does not hurt their barbels. All of my corydoras have their barbels intact and I've had them for ages. If you want gravel, get gravel. If you want sand, get sand. It's merely about what you like. As far as detritus rotting and causing issues with your fish, that's just silly. If you vacuum the gravel regularly, you will never have a problem. Fish get sick when you fail to maintain the tank properly.

 

[doresy]

I have 3-5mm river gravel and it does not hurt their barbels. All of my corydoras have their barbels intact and I've had them for ages. If you want gravel, get gravel. If you want sand, get sand. It's merely about what you like. As far as detritus rotting and causing issues with your fish, that's just silly. If you vacuum the gravel regularly, you will never have a problem. Fish get sick when you fail to maintain the tank properly.

"It's merely about what you like."

Of course it is....... Guess the fish have no option

 

[Caprichoso]

I have 3-5mm river gravel and it does not hurt their barbels. All of my corydoras have their barbels intact and I've had them for ages. If you want gravel, get gravel. If you want sand, get sand. It's merely about what you like. As far as detritus rotting and causing issues with your fish, that's just silly. If you vacuum the gravel regularly, you will never have a problem. Fish get sick when you fail to maintain the tank properly.

"It's merely about what you like."

Of course it is....... Guess the fish have no option

Well I guess having gravel and a healthy school of cories must not account for much then? As pointed out, it won't harm their barbels, so YES, it is a personal choice on what substrate you get as it causes no harm. All clear then?

 

[doresy]

I have 3-5mm river gravel and it does not hurt their barbels. All of my corydoras have their barbels intact and I've had them for ages. If you want gravel, get gravel. If you want sand, get sand. It's merely about what you like. As far as detritus rotting and causing issues with your fish, that's just silly. If you vacuum the gravel regularly, you will never have a problem. Fish get sick when you fail to maintain the tank properly.

"It's merely about what you like."

Of course it is....... Guess the fish have no option

Well I guess having gravel and a healthy school of cories must not account for much then? As pointed out, it won't harm their barbels, so YES, it is a personal choice on what substrate you get as it causes no harm. All clear then?

Whatever!

Cory in the wild are usually over sandy or muddy substrate and whoops, silly me, I always thought fish were happiest kept in as natural set up as is possible in an aquarium. Now it's all clear.......then

Doresy bored, Dorsey out

 

[Caprichoso]

Greetings,

I'm looking for suggestions for a bottom dweller fish for my 30 gallon community tank(16" deep by 36" long by 12" width). The tank is new and I am on the second week of fish-less cycling. I've got it set up with live plants(java fern) gravel, large rocks and afew plastic plants.

Previously I wanted corys (green or panda) BUT I have learned that they wouldn't like the gravel substrate. I love the medium gravel look, so changing the substrate is out. I am willing to add more caves/hiding places.

Can someone give me some suggestions for bottom dweller fishes that would be suitable with danios and platties.


Thanks
View attachment 62577

Cories will be very happy in gravel. This is my personal experience. My oldest green cories are almost 12 years old and the female lays eggs regularly. They have nice long barbels and have no problem rooting in my 3-5mm gravel(already stated) but I can't speak for other types of gravels. As long as your gravel isn't sharp edged, it will be fine. Yes, sand is easier for them to dig in, obviously but is not required.
Good luck

 

[Camillemj]

Thank you all for your opinions. My gravel is washed yard gravel granite/quartz type from a home improvement store. It doesn't look sharp and I didn't get scratches when I washed it. Sharp is a relevant term and at this time I don't want to risk it.

I think I didn't phrase my question correctly. I'm wondering about other species that live mostly on the bottom/middle region of my tank that won't be bothered by my active danios and colorful plattys.

 

[iluvfsh]

Thank you all for your opinions. My gravel is washed yard gravel granite/quartz type from a home improvement store. It doesn't look sharp and I didn't get scratches when I washed it. Sharp is a relevant term and at this time I don't want to risk it.

I think I didn't phrase my question correctly. I'm wondering about other species that live mostly on the bottom/middle region of my tank that won't be bothered by my active danios and colorful plattys.

I would try a bristle nosed pleco. I had one until ick destroyed my tank ( . Or how about some zebra loach...they are a lot of fun to watch.....