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Hi

Im just starting up a 55g tank and so far have 4 peacock cichlids in there. I was just wondering what bottomfeeders i could put in there to keep the tank cleaner...

thanks!

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

What do you need them to clean, leftover fish food? I think the problem could be solved just by feeding your fish less. The trouble with adding fish to clean a tank is that though they may consume any extra food, they'll poop it right back out. Your tank doesn't end up any cleaner with extra fish in it. Your water quality will actually decline.

Last edited by sirbooks at 29-Nov-2005 17:32

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

That really is all a matter of preferences, for the most part that is.

I would say maybe 4-6 YoYo Loaches and maybe 2 schools of of cories. That is what I am doing in my 55 gallon tank. The only thing you need to watch is depending on your cichlids, some are not as friendly as others, they might pick on your bottom feeders.

I am sure you guys will have some other ideas so help me out here!


Christina

My Raphales do a good job cleaning the extra food, with there armour u have nuttin to worry about with the cichlids, and the waste production isnt too high neither.

Cories are super and cute too! Very docile fish that can be put with just about anything. You need a pleco or some type of algea eater also.

Ghost shrimp also eat off the bottom and are super cheap but very delicate.

You can also buy small feeding dishes that will cut down on the food that goes to the bottom also. Like the one here. I have some ordered but have never used them. I want to try them just because I cant stand anything on the bottom of my tanks!!

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F16/Class/Fish+Supplies+Feeders/T1/F23DX+0012+0150/EDP/2773/Itemdy00.aspx

Last edited by ladiejl at 29-Nov-2005 18:23

Thanks for all your replies!

I have seen those feeding stations but didnt know how good they would be.. has anyone used them before? ive had a big problem with the flakes sinking and they dont like eating them off the gravel fussy things!

i have some albino cory babies which im waiting to grow up a bit more they are about a month old at the moment! so cute!

i was thinking along the lines of cories or bristlenoses as i have these in my other tank... ive never had loaches before... so these will be safe in with the cichlids?

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

Whoa, hold on a minute!

These are Malawi Peacocks? Aulonocara species?

Oh dear. Hard, alkaline water. Wouldn't put South American Amazonian catfishes in with those.

There are Rift Lake Synodontis species that would be a MUCH better choice if you're going to put catfishes in with your Cichlids. In any case, Aulonocara species aren't noted for being as bad as Mbuna in the rough and tumble stakes, so you wouldn't have to worry about the catfishes needing a lot of armour. Might be a different story if you had Petrotilapia tridentiger Cichlids, but they are aquarium terrorists that are difficult to keep even with other bad-tempered Mbuna!

Bad news for ALL Rift Lake keepers is that catfish choices are a LOT more restricted for a Rift Lake setup than for any soft/acid rainforest setup, if you want the catfishes to be happy as well as the other fishes.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Don't add Corydoras with Malawi Cichlids & if you want them for leftover food, just feed less & your problem is solved. If you want bottom feeders, try to find some that live in Laka Malawi.


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thanks for your replies!

ok i tried to find some that live in lake malawi.. and there are none that come up on the profile search

can any suggest any that they have placed in a tank with peacock cichlids?

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

I keep SA cichlids and happen to have a pair of Jewels in the tank. I would suggest that the raphaels would do well in a 55 gallon. They get to about 8 inches, dont get bullied and clean the bottom well. Other fish I have heard of being kept with Malawis are clown loaches, or orange-finned loaches, but these will get much too big for your 55 gallon.

Here is a list of catfishes found in the Rift Lakes.

Enjoy!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

If I were you, I would look into a small group of Synodontis Multipunctatus or Syno Petricola(4-5 of either). I would also add 1 BN pleco for algea. The Multis will "schoal" more then the Colas, but both are nice fish. Otherwise if your only looking for 1 catfish, go with Syno Angelicus/Granulosus($$$)/Brichardi/Decorus(OK with Peacocks)/or Eupterus.

Thanks! will have to have a bit of a search around and see what i can find!

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them