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Need advice on what bottom feeder(s) to add to current established tank:
Current tank - 45g freshwater 36" long 23" deep - home to:
4 large, beautiful majestic angelfish
1 5" uaru
1 4" geophagus proximus


the tank has two large pieces of driftwood in vertical position forming upside down "v" - some amazon swords and some anubias attached to driftwood and a couple of rocks - gravel is small size - plenty of space for bottom dwellers - only geophagus seems to inhabit lower level of tank

temp 76 to 78
water - quite acidic 6.0 to 6.2

current thinking/ideas:

1) add a school of corys or
2) add a pleco or
3) add pictus cats (how many??)

any advice/recommendations - any specifics would be appreciated - feel free to deviate from my ideas - thanks

What are you looking for from the bottom dweller you add?? Action on the bottom of the tank? some algae control? entertainment when you fish watch?
That will have a lot to do with which fish would fit your needs best......

M.J. - thanks for your thoughtful reply - I don't think your comments are necessarily mutually exclusive - I also have a 55g freshwater tank with a common pleco and 8 bandit corys - more of a community tank - the corys are very active and the pleco is a trip to watch especially at night - I was thinking of going a slightly different route with the 45g - but sometimes getting away from what you know and are comfortable with can create problems - the 45g is more a species oriented tank centered around the angels - but I'm trying to get a sense from people with more experience than me as to what might be compatible with what I already have in the 45g and provide activity, algae control and an interesting fish (s) to look at and not overstock the tank or cause problems for the existing inhabitants - my LFS is terrific and has many species of corys, plecos, etc. The corys are probably the safest choice, the pleco would likely be comfortable with the driftwood already present in the tank although I have concerns with their rate of growth and competing with the uaru for plant matter - the pictus cats look the most interesting and appear to be peaceful in groups (how many?)but I have no familiarity with them - or maybe there is something else out that would fit the bill - thanks

I would suggest either a school of dwarf cories or a BN pleco. Unless I'm mistaken, you're already pushing it with the 4 angels.

- Dj :88)

I would add 6 Lovely Corydoras, so you'll have some movement & entertainment, on your lower part of the tank.


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Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
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i wouldn't go with the sch of dwarf corys (either habrosus or pygmaeus etc) becuase of the angelfish. I know that angelfish often tend to nip fins of guppies etc, but due to the small size of dwarf cories, they might also decide to nip om those small lil buggers.

I would suggest corys too, but try a bigger-sized species. there are heaps of cory species out there, and ALL would be a great addition to angelfish, especially since they come from the same biotope (ie: south american freshwater).

thanks for the responses - why corys over bristlenose pleco?

from my experience with my BN, if you want entertainment to look at, the BN isnt the way to go. From what i know they are one of the more shy plecos, and you have to go looking for him! Although thye are adorable. If you want something that is entertaining to watch corys are def. the way to go
Sam

I'd go with perhaps albino corys or bandits.