Suitable Bottom Feeder

[dgwebster]

Ok, my 4' community tank is getting on well, has a selection of zebra danios, black neon tetras, golden barbs, kribensis, khuli loaches and a plec. I am pretty certain my plec is a common plec, but is only 6" nose to tail. I have had him for around 4 years, having taken some fish from someone who was not looking after them properly and he hasnt grown more than an inch in this time and don't think he will grow any more. My reason for believing he is a common plec is because of the 14 or so rays. Anyway, I digress. I am approaching maximum stocking in this tank after some changes this week and looking for something more bottom loving as the khulis are a rare daytime sight! Im thinking shrimp and other loaches (maybe botia striata?) What are your suggestions?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Maybe some cory's?

 

[dgwebster]

We were looking at some Corys today whilst getting more black neons (their number had dwindled but I rather like they little dudes) and I could maybe do so. I have very fine black sand, however I am also going planted, do they not have a tendancy to go uprooting plants?

 

[frapadoodle]

Cories! Can't go wrong.
Only had one uproot plants, at that only Amazon swords.
Nicknamed her a bulldozer cory.
Albinos look great on black sand. Get a group of five or six, or they will hide out as well.

 

[dgwebster]

The good news is I can comfortably host a group of 6 without overcrowding the bottom or overloading the bioload.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

They are a bit capable of digging up stems plants before they are established with a root system.  But they aren't really going to dig up big plants, or established plants.  And when you think about how great they are in all other aspects, an occasional (and I mean very rare) uprooted plant isn't really a big deal.  

 

[frapadoodle]

You won't be sorry. With the cories or the plants.
Good luck.

 

[dgwebster]

Just saw a picture of Juliis for the first time. How can I have never seen these guys before?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Really?  Never?
 
 
BTW, the ones you'll get from your LFS probably will be "trillineatus" not true julli.
 
http/www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=508
 
But, at the same time, trillys are awesome though!!!

 

[dgwebster]

Yup, never. From a quick review of the corys, they will be better suited to the ph of my tank anyway (between 5.8 and 6.2, it just drops like mad with the co2).

 

[levahe]

I have 7 sterbai Cory's, they are my favourite fish in my tank and are stunning to look at!

 

[dgwebster]

New plants soon, so may give them a couple of months to establish roots but going to keep a regular trip to the lfs for some of these guys coming in.

 

[attibones]

I'm a mad fan of my albinos. I have six on my black sand. They look stellar. They never uprooted any of my plants, even if they haven't developed a substantial root system yet. Your be safe enough with getting the plants and the corydoras around the same time.

 

[Noahsfish]

Albinos are crazy (in a good way) and are a ton of fun to watch. Only downside in my opinion is color. My all time favorites are sterbai, probably because I've had mine forever now.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I really like the Emerald Cory's, though I've never kept them myself. They have really nice colouring.