Favorite scavenger

[Cate]

Hello all!

I would like to know what your favorite scavenger/algae eater/bottom-dweller type fish is and why. I'm looking to add one (preferably only one so it must be happy being a bachelor/bachelorette) to my 20L tank that is half planted and has platies, swords and a betta. I've been reading up on catfish and plecos and the more I read, the more difficult the choice becomes, so I would like the opinion of experienced fishers on the topic. Ease of care and small size preferred. Thanks to all!

 

[Mollymomma]

I'd say go with cory's, If you don't have a large tank pleco's don't do very well as they grow so big unless you are lucky enough to find a smaller pleco like the rubber lipped ones. I have in my 55 gallon a common pleco, when we bought him he was a cute little bugger no longer than 2 inches...he is now about 6 inches in only 6 months. He is constanly knocking over thing's in the tank and just generally a pain. I would get rid of him but my kids like him because he's an ugly sucker lol

Hope this helps some. I'm sure the other's will give more imput.

 

[Alien Anna]

I'd say go with cory's, If you don't have a large tank pleco's don't do very well as they grow so big unless you are lucky enough to find a smaller pleco like the rubber lipped ones. I have in my 55 gallon a common pleco, when we bought him he was a cute little bugger no longer than 2 inches...he is now about 6 inches in only 6 months. He is constanly knocking over thing's in the tank and just generally a pain. I would get rid of him but my kids like him because he's an ugly sucker lol

If you don't like your pleco, get rid of him now. By the time he's even half grown, no one will want him. They can grow to 2.5ft long and need a vast tank to keep happy.

 

[njparton]

I think Cory's are brilliant.

I have 2 masked Cory's (a male and female as it's turning out) which were the 1st fish I bought along with my cardinals and they're constantly on the moving poking their noses in all the little spaces food might get trapped.

Don't get much bigger than 5cm either I believe.

 

[Cate]

Thanks so much njparton and Mollymomma for your advice, it is much appreciated!

 

[Mollymomma]

Your welcome Cate anytime

As I said my pleco is a pain but the kids love him. I am also hoping to get a much larger tank in the future so we will have room for it until his life is over.

then I'll have cory's in the 55gal.

 

[Lithril]

Personally I love Ancistrus they're like a dwarf Plec but only grow to 3" long, they're amazing at clearing up the algae, just don't stop and if you get bored you can always play hide and seek with them as mines entirely too good at blending in.

Cute lil' thing though at the mo mines just over an 1"

 

[Alien Anna]

As I said my pleco is a pain but the kids love him. I am also hoping to get a much larger tank in the future so we will have room for it until his life is over.

A fully grown pleco is 2.5 ft long. You'd need an absolutely enormous tank for him, or an indoor pond.

 

[fatbobsufc]

I am a beginner on the forum but have kept fish for some time. In my experience the best bottom dwellers are Corydoras aeneus (bronze catfish) as they are extremely placid, always hungry and very hardy (one of mine once went under an old under gravel filter by mistake during a water change, spent the best part of a week there until I realised and came out unscathed!!!).

I have become very attached to these little critters during my time and have found they seem most happy in ones or twos.

 

[Lithril]

they seem most happy in ones or twos.

Corys are shoaling fish and really should be kept in groups of 3 or more (ideally 6). Must admit I had 2 peppered corys and when I heard about group of 3 or more the GF couldnt really refuse me getting another one could she... after they would be much happier

 

[Losi]

bristlenose pleco's do well with algea and they are fairly easy to breed to which an added attraction!

Cory's are also cool but best kept in groups so space could be an issue?

Clown loach are a great fish and do well digging through the gravel for leftovers, again these need to be kept in groups.

 

[Cate]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's nice to get advice from people who actually know what they're talking about... unlike my lfs who can't determine the difference between a male and female platy. Oh the joy.

Might look into the masked cory since it is small and I'll obviously need more than one, or bronze catfish. I feel like I'm picking out children! What a chore!

 

[Mollymomma]

Much larger tank = 125-150 US gallon.

I know how big my plec will get but thanks anyway for the heads up AA

bronze catfish are so cute! I think I'll go that route once I buy the big tank

 

[fatbobsufc]

Corys are shoaling fish and really should be kept in groups of 3 or more (ideally 6).

Wouldn't argue with that. Do you have to supplement their diet? In my experience there didn't seem enough "scraps" around for more than a couple.

 

[canis_lupus]

i dunno... i really like my otos! they're fun to watch chase each other around and sometimes my guppy or molly even join in and follow them around!