Catfish For My Tank

[Alex1110]

Hey everone,

Im posting this here and not in the catfish section becuase there are three differnt boards in the catfish section. Hope someone here can help. Anyway, I have 5 rosy barbs (will be 6) and 6 Odessa barbs in my 3 foot by 18 inch by 18 inch tank. Its got heaps of plants, and some wood, and 2 rocks. I am planning to get a RTBS and some kinds of gouramis (paradise, three spot, or banded), but i also think i want some sort of algea eating crew. What do you recommend for my tank? How many?

Alex

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Hey everone,

Im posting this here and not in the catfish section becuase there are three differnt boards in the catfish section. Hope someone here can help. Anyway, I have 5 rosy barbs (will be 6) and 6 Odessa barbs in my 3 foot by 18 inch by 18 inch tank. Its got heaps of plants, and some wood, and 2 rocks. I am planning to get a RTBS and some kinds of gouramis (paradise, three spot, or banded), but i also think i want some sort of algea eating crew. What do you recommend for my tank? How many?

Alex

if it's just algae eaters your after then either 1 brislenose plec, or a group of 6 or so otto's

 

[Alex1110]

What else is there other than algea eaters? fish to eat scraps?

I am yet to see algea after 4 weeks. Do i need a cleaning crew of sorts?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

here's a really good pinned topic about algae eaters

no fish or group of will clean your tank for you, there are various scavengers and fish who eat some algaes etc but you'll always still have to do some yourself.

it's really only when you get into marine when it's even remotley possible for a tank to be self sustaining. and it takes a lot of work and careful thought to get there.

so no you don't *need* one cos you'll always have to do the work yourself, however you can get a few helpers to make your life a little easier if you like.

 

[Alex1110]

Yeh i know its up to me. I wasnt trying to say im going to get the fish to do the job. Thanks for the pinned topic, im going to read it now. In the mean time... if i was to add the bristlenose, when would i do it in terms of order. Before the RTBS and gouramis?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Yeh i know its up to me. I wasnt trying to say im going to get the fish to do the job. Thanks for the pinned topic, im going to read it now. In the mean time... if i was to add the bristlenose, when would i do it in terms of order. Before the RTBS and gouramis?

no problem, just making sure, some people get the wrong idea so it's always worth sayng just incase.

i dont think the order matters especially.

 

[BigIan]

Any community tank works well with a group of corys. they will also hoover any leftover food from your substrate...

 

[Alex1110]

Sorry if my reply before sounded a little rude, its not how it was ment to be. I understand you need to explain everything! Thanks alot for your help.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you didn't sound rude, glad you've got the right idea, sometimes it can be a little awkward with people you don't know trying to judge if you need to ask the more basic questions or explain things, don't want to patronise if they know but don't want them to do it wrong either!

 

[Alex1110]

okay good.

I dont think any food gets down to the substrate! I fed some bloodworms today and ive never seen such a frenzy!

Anyway, how many cories will i need, a group of 6? or are they fine in a smaller group? i think they look okay when they are little, but when they are big they a ugly! especially the albino ones.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

okay good.

I dont think any food gets down to the substrate! I fed some bloodworms today and ive never seen such a frenzy!

Anyway, how many cories will i need, a group of 6? or are they fine in a smaller group? i think they look okay when they are little, but when they are big they a ugly! especially the albino ones.

they prefer to be in a group of 6+, you can get away with 5.

you can get sinking catfish pellets that will get down to the bottom of the tank for them.

if you like them best small there are pygmy varieties and some that simply grow smaller than others. do a bit of research i'm sure you'll find some you liek, they've got great character

 

[Alex1110]

Okay thanks again. I will look around for the smaller varieties. I dont know if i should go for the bristlenose or the cories. Life is full of tough decisions! haha. Well thanks for your help, much appreciated.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

no problem, have fun choosing!

 

[Kevstir]

panda corys stay small m8 , iv got albino, panda and leapord corys and the pandas are by far my fav

 

[Callum]

then again panda's arnt to hardy. but cories are lovely and a shoal of 6 is best