Looking For A Bottom Dweller

[McCool]

I need a bottom dweller that would work well in a heavily planted 55 gal with lots of fake plants and a strong current. Something that would work well with six Giant Danios and six South American puffers. The tank is sand and has a lot of rock for cover. Helping clean up the tank would be a plus, but not necessary as I don't have algae. I just need a nice bottom dweller that is somewhat common so I can get it through my LFS. Any suggestions? Temp stays around 77, no heater, two sixty gal filters. It is cycled and no ammonia or nitrite.
Any ideas?

 

[phoenixgsd]

corys?

 

[McCool]

corys?

Ah, I wish. I have heard Cory fins are a puffers favorite snack

 

[NeonNeptune]

How about a bristle nose pleco?

 

[Scales9]

How about a bristle nose pleco?

I love my BN, I have a normal one and an albino they are fantastic and never stop cleaning. They do require driftwood though.

 

[thereverendturtle]

A bunch of kuhli loaches.

 

[OldMan47]

Let me add another possibility for you to consider. I like Kribensis as a bottom dweller but things like Corydorus are also great in that role.

 

[McCool]

How about a bristle nose pleco?

As much as I love them, I had one in my last tank, so I'm looking for something new! Lovely fish though!

A bunch of kuhli loaches.

Hmm, Do they come out during the day? I'm not sure if the puffers would mistake them for a smack or not...

Let me add another possibility for you to consider. I like Kribensis as a bottom dweller but things like Corydorus are also great in that role.

I may have to look into the Kribensis more! They are beautiful fish!
From what I have found online, Corys seem to be relentlessly nipped by puffers. Anyone have any experience with the mix?

 

[kcartwright856]

I don't have any experience with SAPs, but I and many others have been successful in keeping kuhli loaches with dwarf puffers, which are also notorious for nipping.

The general idea comes from a large part of the reason that otocinclus go so well with DPs. They keep to themselves, don't have long, yummy fins, and are much too fast for the puffers.

They adore heavily-planted tanks, but I would be cautious if you have any hard plastic plants, or any other artificial plants with sharp edges. Their skin is very sensitive.

 

[McCool]

I don't have any experience with SAPs, but I and many others have been successful in keeping kuhli loaches with dwarf puffers, which are also notorious for nipping.

The general idea comes from a large part of the reason that otocinclus go so well with DPs. They keep to themselves, don't have long, yummy fins, and are much too fast for the puffers.

They adore heavily-planted tanks, but I would be cautious if you have any hard plastic plants, or any other artificial plants with sharp edges. Their skin is very sensitive.

My tank is made up of plastic plants No kuhlis for me I guess!

 

[McCool]

Bump

 

[tomtomtom1230]

A bunch of kuhli loaches.

Would you chance kuhli loaches in an unheated tank? I was under the impression they need the very warm range of tropical tanks. It's a difficult one 'cause of the puffers. If it's any consolation, I love my Bristlenose pleco, they do a nice job of cleaning but a better job of pooping Not as much as people say but you'll find the odd turd left for you on top of your sand

Oto catfish are quick and can live in the cooler temperatures (just in case the temp in your tank should drop a bit). I know they appreciate planted tanks but it's not essential for them. Just drop an algae wafer or two in your tank every other day and I'm sure they'd be fine! Need to be kept in small schools, though. They get up to around 2 inches, too (similar size to an adult Zebra Danio).

 

[McCool]

A bunch of kuhli loaches.

Would you chance kuhli loaches in an unheated tank? I was under the impression they need the very warm range of tropical tanks. It's a difficult one 'cause of the puffers. If it's any consolation, I love my Bristlenose pleco, they do a nice job of cleaning but a better job of pooping Not as much as people say but you'll find the odd turd left for you on top of your sand

Oto catfish are quick and can live in the cooler temperatures (just in case the temp in your tank should drop a bit). I know they appreciate planted tanks but it's not essential for them. Just drop an algae wafer or two in your tank every other day and I'm sure they'd be fine! Need to be kept in small schools, though. They get up to around 2 inches, too (similar size to an adult Zebra Danio).

The temp in the tank stays pretty steady, and I know in the summer I'll be fighting to keep it cool In the winter it stays about 75 and right now it's around 77. I would be worried about the puffers taking a nip at them though... (The kuhlies)
Hmm, May have to see about the otos I'll see if I can find some local.
Does anyone have any experience with Zebra Loaches?

 

[OldMan47]

If your temperature regularly exceeds 77F, forget most cories. They almost all do best at less than 75F. The C. sterbai will work at higher temperatures but things like C. trilineatus or C. paleatus will suffer at high temperatures.

 

[McCool]

If your temperature regularly exceeds 77F, forget most cories. They almost all do best at less than 75F. The C. sterbai will work at higher temperatures but things like C. trilineatus or C. paleatus will suffer at high temperatures.

Yeah, They seem to be puffer targets anyways. Would hate them to get picked on.