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	Guidance on selecting bottomfeeders...
FreshwaterJeff Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 4 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Mar-2006	I'm contemplating a 30 g planted aquarium with 2 blue rams and a school of purple emperor tetras (or another tetra), and am looking for some guidance on bottomfeeders. My initial thought was adding 4 otos and 3 kuhli loaches, but I'm alternatively considering a brushynose pleco and/or an upside down catfish. Any advice?
Posted 28-Mar-2006 20:06
pookiekiller12 Fish Addict Posts: 574 Kudos: 633 Votes: 41 Registered: 13-Apr-2004	In a planted aquarium the upside down catfish will hide out of sight often. Any cories should work well, just get a small school if you do. BN or ottos ok, as are the kuhli loaches if that is what you like. Good luck.
Posted 28-Mar-2006 20:15
GirlieGirl8519 Fish Master Malawi Planter Posts: 1468 Kudos: 1029 Votes: 35 Registered: 25-Mar-2005	BN's are great algae eaters, but they are quite messy. If you are up to the task of cleaning up after them, they are great. Ottos are great but can be sensitive. Add them last and make sure you have some existing algae for them. Mine won't eat algae wafers, so I have to make sure I have algae in my tank for them to eat. Its really up to you. Kuhlis and ottos would be good. As would cories and ottos, or a BN. *Kristin*
Posted 28-Mar-2006 20:31
synodontis Fish Master Posts: 1403 Kudos: 2000 Votes: 1099 Registered: 02-Oct-2003	You can have either combo as I can't see a problem with either. I personally love USD synos so I would get them, though I think kuhlis are fairly neat as well. -------------------------- Billy was a scientist, Billy is no more. For what he thought was H20, was H2SO4
Posted 29-Mar-2006 06:07
mrwizerd Big Fish Posts: 360 Kudos: 197 Votes: 75 Registered: 24-Oct-2005	I have all of them, I love my Albino BN they are sweet looking. The only thing about them is there not very social and hide ALL the time. The Otto are skittish but fun to watch. cory are always great in number and there are many neat ones to choose from. In my opinion with the smaller fish I would stick to the cory and otto's but why not go with a smaller cory species like the pygmy that way you could have a larger school of them. There are many species if you would like to know what ones you can look at lemmi know and I will give you my list of pygmyesk cory.
Posted 29-Mar-2006 17:58
FreshwaterJeff Small Fry Posts: 4 Kudos: 4 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Mar-2006	That'd be great. I appreciate it
Posted 29-Mar-2006 19:28
So_Very_Sneaky Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3238 Kudos: 2272 Votes: 201 Registered: 10-Mar-2004	Hi there Jeff, all those are good choices. My personal choice would be the Kuhli Loaches and an pair of USD cats. I would probably go with at least 4 kuhlies, and a single or pair of USD cats. They are great and after a few months, will come down to eat on the gravel with the other fish. I find their shyness and elusiveness makes them even more special when you do see them. Come Play Yahtzee With Me! http://games.atari.com Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames
Posted 31-Mar-2006 01:00
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	Just thought I'd point out something that others have missed... Emperor Tetras are by no means schooling fish; they prefer to be kept alone or in pairs. Males can be quite aggressive and territorial towards each other. I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 01-Apr-2006 03:00
ClownyGirl Fish Addict Posts: 508 Kudos: 311 Votes: 5 Registered: 07-Oct-2004	I would say a school of kuhli loaches or botia striatas would work nicely. For kuhlies you can add about 5 or so, and they would simply love the planted tank. Striatas also make a nice addition, I have 9 and they are simply adorable. You can check out some other loaches at loaches.com
Posted 01-Apr-2006 16:44
~jamie~ Big Fish Posts: 463 Kudos: 671 Votes: 65 Registered: 08-May-2004	I am personally partial to bristle noses as they keep the glass clean for sure. I also think that the kuhlis, otos and synos would be a good alternative but I just love them catfish!
Posted 01-Apr-2006 21:05


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