I Need A Small Freshwater Species That Likes Caves.

[Jazziecatz]

I have a 15 gallon tank with a Dwarf gourami and 4 tiger barbs.  It is 10" deep 20" long and 18" tall.  I have a little cave and none of them like it.  I also like seeing a little badass fish that just sits in a cave all day.  I dont know why I just like them.  What is a species I can do?

 

[the_lock_man]

With regard to liking caves, I can't think of any that will literally spend all day in a cave. There are plenty that like to breed in caves, including cichlids, and some types of plec. The only one that I can think of, though, that is small enough for a 15gal is the peacock goby, and mine likes to spend more time out of the caves.
 
Since I've got my hands on the keyboard anyway, are you aware that tiger barbs are very well known for nipping fins, and are highly likely to find the long threads of the gourami highly irresistable?

 

[Jazziecatz]

With regard to liking caves, I can't think of any that will literally spend all day in a cave. There are plenty that like to breed in caves, including cichlids, and some types of plec. The only one that I can think of, though, that is small enough for a 15gal is the peacock goby, and mine likes to spend more time out of the caves.
 
Since I've got my hands on the keyboard anyway, are you aware that tiger barbs are very well known for nipping fins, and are highly likely to find the long threads of the gourami highly irresistable?

Yes I know tiger barbs are nippers but they dont bother my gourami at all.  They just go their separate ways.  Also if the gourami ever gets kinda annoyed at them he just scares em off hes 3 times the size of them.  LOL thanks I'll be looking at gobys now.

 

[fluttermoth]

You're on the lower size limit, but you might be able to fit in a clown plec; very sweet, love caves (you might never see it!) and grow to only a couple of inches.
 
What are the dimensions of the tank (length x width x height)?

 

[Jazziecatz]

You're on the lower size limit, but you might be able to fit in a clown plec; very sweet, love caves (you might never see it!) and grow to only a couple of inches.
 
What are the dimensions of the tank (length x width x height)?

LOL silly goose it says in the post.  10 inches deep 20 inches long and 18 inches high.
Yay guests are reading this hello guests!

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Gobies, plecos, corys, clown loaches, weatherfish

 

[the_lock_man]

Gobies, plecos, corys, clown loaches, weatherfish

Gobies - I've already mentioned peacock gobies.
Plecos - Depends on the individual species, most get way too big for a tank this size.
Cories - Aren't particularly cave-loving
Clown Loach - No. Just no. WWWAAAAAAYYYYYY too big
Weatherfish - Assuming you mean weather loach, again too big.

 

[Jazziecatz]

Also I would like them to be avaliable at petsmart ordering online is a hassle.  I can order online though.

 

[fluttermoth]

 

You're on the lower size limit, but you might be able to fit in a clown plec; very sweet, love caves (you might never see it!) and grow to only a couple of inches.
 
What are the dimensions of the tank (length x width x height)?

LOL silly goose it says in the post.  10 inches deep 20 inches long and 18 inches high.

Yay guests are reading this hello guests!
 

Oh, sorry; speed reading 

 
Just about big enough for a clown plec; you will need to keep on top of your regular water changes though, as they're quite a messy fish.
 
I so agree with TLM; definitely no weather or clown loach in a 15 gallon tank; both can get to foot or so long and are social, so need to be kept in groups as well.

 

[Jazziecatz]

OK have any reliable fish sites that I can buy a clown pleco off of?  My local petstore does not carry them.

 

[fluttermoth]

Sorry, can't help you there; I'm in the UK.

 

[Jazziecatz]

www.absolutelyfish.com  I live in NJ and this store looks pretty good.
That link should be live thats weird.

 

[the_lock_man]

www.absolutelyfish.com  I live in NJ and this store looks pretty good.

That link should be live thats weird.

 
Ah, the power of the almighty Mods

 

[george4593]

I have two clowns plecs and you will not see them if the aquarium light is on, they like it all dark and you will see them in a dim lit room without the aquarium light on. I would not advise you to buy one, you also need to have some sort of wood in the aquarium as the clown plec loves to munch on it. they do look great but you have to have to correct aquarium to see them. I also have two caves in my aquarium and only one clown plec goes in them and that's rarely, they much prefer sucking on the bogwood. its a great fish to watch as it will burrow under the bogwood into the substrate to get out of the light.
do your homework before buying any fish. top tip

 

[DerpPH]

I have two clowns plecs and you will not see them if the aquarium light is on, they like it all dark and you will see them in a dim lit room without the aquarium light on. I would not advise you to buy one, you also need to have some sort of wood in the aquarium as the clown plec loves to munch on it. they do look great but you have to have to correct aquarium to see them. I also have two caves in my aquarium and only one clown plec goes in them and that's rarely, they much prefer sucking on the bogwood. its a great fish to watch as it will burrow under the bogwood into the substrate to get out of the light.
do your homework before buying any fish. top tip

 
 
Some plecs are shy. Well it just goes down to how your tank is set up.I have had an issue of clown loaches before with the same hiding but the solution is easy, move the rocks and wood a bit that the cave or wood cannot be burrowed into and bam! the loaches were seen
 
 
 

OK have any reliable fish sites that I can buy a clown pleco off of?  My local petstore does not carry them.

 
 
Aquabid and liveaquaria are some of the most reliable.
 
 
Here
 
http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+837
 
 
http/www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcatfishp
 
or you can do the zebra plec.
http/www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcatfishp&1383174618
 
This one is quite cheap. a lucky deal btw