Success with "seeding" an established planted tank with benthic crustaceans?

[Tacocat]

What kinds of microfauna/crustacean detritivores could I introduce if I wanted to create an ecologically active benthic layer with fish already established? I'm talking things like scuds, detritus worms, ostracods that will provide the fish with live hunting while also sustaining a population and assisting with decomposition. My main fear with just throwing these in there is that they might get immediately annihilated by the Apistogramma, so what can I do?
For context my tank is rather heavily planted and mixed substrate of aqua soil and pool filter sand with a healthy layer of decaying leaves and organics.

I have considered making a sort of "anti fish cage" under the substrate where the crustaceans can congregate without fear and none of the fish are able to get to, but I don't know how I would design such a thing.

Thanks!

 

[GaryE]

@f_luxus may be able to help. His time zone probably means you won't hear anything today.

 

[f_luxus]

Hey

If you can buy frozen cyclops where you live, I'd suggest feeding them for a while.

Interestingly, larvae sometimes hatch from dead cyclops and survive quite well in the aquarium detritus. If you look carefully, you'll occasionally spot a crustacean. A suitable substrate can be created with piles of rubble, wood, and herbaceous plants.

My 15g aquarium with Heterandria is a good example; it's currently in the voting for Tank of the Month for December

When I clear a space and pull out some pearlweed, the fish come darting over to catch invertebrates. Neocaridina shrimp are also good live food that lasts a long time in the aquarium.

Blackworms too.

Osteoscars usually come out the other end just as they went in mouth They're good for keeping them occupied, but their nutritional value is practically zero...