bottom feeders for my tank?

[boozybears]

Hey all.. I know that these stocking questions get a little bit repetitive, but I could really use your advice.

My current tank:

25 gallon (US):

10 cardinals
4 platies
4 mollies
1 angel (will be rehomed when it gets too big.. is currently approx 2-3 inches)
1 rubberlipped pleco

During water changes I've been noticing that that there is a lot of excess food caught in my susbrate (despite only feeding once every two days)... so I was wondering if I would be able to house any bottom feeders and if so, which would be the best for my tank?

thanks!!

 

[Flippin'thing bit me eye]

Well the obvious choice would be corys, but if you want something different get some shrimp

 

[TorPeteO]

I don't really even know if you've got room for any bottomfeeders. You're tank is pretty close to, if not already, overstocked. If you get corys, it'd be best to get at least three, and you definitely don't have room for that. You can go for some shrimp, but I'd say you're probably feeding too much in each feeding, even if they are only once every two days.

How much would you say you're feeding them?

I'd say you're about ready for a new tank...you're starting to outgrow the one you've got now! Go for a 30g high, and put your angel in there with a whack of corys.

If only money grew on trees...

 

[fufanu360]

get a few upside down cats, is that possible? im not really sure about there info

 

[endilliteracy]

My little brother has a 10 gal with a betta, 4 cories and 3 ghost shrimp. The ghost shrimp do a very good job of sucking up any leftover food on the bottom of the tank. Although, I am not sure if your fish will try to eat them. I've never tried them with fish like yours. The angel might eat them.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi boozybears

In addition to being too heavily stocked, there is another reason not to add corys to your tank.

Corys need very clean water to stay healthy, and if there is uneaten food accumulating on the bottom, there is also bad bacteria feeding on it. It is bacteria such as this that is the main cause of illness and death among corys.

Your best bet is to vacuum your gravel carefully and regularly, and to limit the amount of food you are feeding. You might want to feed 2 light meals to your fish, rather than one big one, and watch to see how much is eaten at a time. Perhaps if a lot is getting wasted, your fish might prefer a different brand.

Corys are great little fish, and you will enjoy them when the conditions are right. Please do not risk their lives by keeping them in a dirty tank, or one that is too heavily stocked.


BTW, I love your avatar!

 

[boozybears]

Thanks for the replies everyone!! Guess I'll hold off on the corys for a while. We are hoping to get another tank soon (35-45 gallon) so maybe I'll be able to move some fishies around and get some corys then

I will try to cut down on my feeding... I didn't think that I fed too much (2 pinches of flakes or 1 cube of brine shrimp or 2 little shakes of freeze dried bloodworms) but will monitor it more closely.