atritch
Gender: 
Posts: 67
|
 |
« on: November 03, 2009, 08:48:21 AM » |
|
I am currently evaluating what bottom feeders to put into my 75g community tank. I have been thinking a school of Corys of some sort, but wanted to know what other options were out there that might be interesting (Botia striata maybe).
Current stocking for the tank:
7 x Bosemani Rainbows
1 x Red Tail Shark
1 x Wood Shrimp
Coming soon:
1 x Ropefish (re-homed from other tank)
1 x Pleco of some sort, not sure what kind yet. Maybe BN.
Maybe more rainbows if the tank is not overstocked when all other stocking is done.
Any ideas?
-Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Karen
Professor
Senior Staff
Gender: 
Tanks: 70 gold fish, 210 pacu community, 125 tilapia, 30 guppies, 70 temperate marine
Posts: 6,982
I wish I was a fish!
|
|
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2009, 10:32:58 AM » |
|
The pleco is a bottom feeder?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Put me back out to sea to play with the fishies...I don't belong on land!  |
|
|
Stella G
Chum Bucket Survivor
Gender:
Tanks: 10, 20, 40 & 55
Posts: 2,542
|
|
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2009, 10:36:44 AM » |
|
Just taking the Red Tail Shark and BN Pleco into account, I would say a group of Yoyo loaches would be a nice addition. However, I have no experience with the Ropefish, so I'm not sure how he will figure into the mix.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"
"Now, go away or I shall taunt you a second time."
|
|
|
atritch
Gender:
Posts: 67
|
|
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2009, 10:42:38 AM » |
|
I want a pleco to assist with algy and because I really like pleco. With the RTS and rainbows I have good activity in the mid-upper areas of my tank and I am trying to determine what my options are for the bottom, both from a eating dropped food/cleanup crew perspective and what will make the bottom layer of the tank interesting. I have cory cats in my other tank, so I thought I would see if there were other good options for my 75.
-Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
atritch
Gender:
Posts: 67
|
|
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2009, 10:53:43 AM » |
|
The ropefish seems to always be the oddity:) We got it because my son really wanted an Eel, and this was recommended as a better fit by LFS. Great fish. Really fun to watch when he is out, but mostly he hides in the holey rock or the driftwood.
The fish profile here says the RTS is a bottom fish, but mine mostly hangs in the middle. The bottom of the tank right now doesn't really have anything going on (Pleco + whatever will change that I hope).
My LFS was recommending clown loaches, but I told them I thought that was a bad fit due to their eventual size in a tank that is only 75 gallon, and primarily focused on raindows. Right now the tank contains a single school rainbows up top and some one offs, so I have been thinking another school of something in the lower levels would be nice. Am I overthinking?
-Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Stella G
Chum Bucket Survivor
Gender:
Tanks: 10, 20, 40 & 55
Posts: 2,542
|
|
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2009, 11:15:09 AM » |
|
My LFS was recommending clown loaches, but I told them I thought that was a bad fit due to their eventual size in a tank that is only 75 gallon That's exactly why I recommended the Yoyo loaches.  Especially since I don't know if Ropefish like to eat their tankmates and Yoyos are a good sized loach without being Clown sized. I figured they would be safer from midnight munchie attacks and also add a nice activity level to the bottom. It should be noted, though, that even though loaches are considered "bottom dwellers" they really do use all areas of the tank at times. They are active swimmers and tons of fun to watch, IMO. And no, I don't think you are overthinking. Always better to overthink than to underthink.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"
"Now, go away or I shall taunt you a second time."
|
|
|
atritch
Gender:
Posts: 67
|
|
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2009, 11:29:00 AM » |
|
According to my LFS you do have to worry about ropefish eating small tankmates. I wouldn't put it in with any neon tetras for instance, unless as a snack.
My ropefish has been living with julii corys without problem in the smaller tank, but I wouldn't want to go any smaller:P.
I am going to do some reading on loaches today. I have no experience with them so want to learn more!
Thanks for the input.
-Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
gomezaddams
Gender:
Posts: 4,978
Mysterious and spooky
|
|
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2009, 02:44:36 PM » |
|
On advice from another member here my group of 7 botia striata live with a red tail shark.The mix is a good fit.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Waiting will fill
|
|
|
atritch
Gender:
Posts: 67
|
|
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2009, 06:32:19 PM » |
|
Thanks for all the advice. I think based on my reading today that i am either going to go with yoyo or zebra loaches. I think it will be a nice difference from Corys in the other tank.
-Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Agamyxis
Gotta Change the Water
Gender:
Tanks: 2.5, 5, 15, 20, 30, 55
Posts: 9
|
|
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2009, 01:58:10 PM » |
|
I love the loaches, and they are definitely more active than some other fish. I have a propensity for catfish. You won't see as much of them, but whiptail cats are great for algae. You could always get a monster snail for algae cleanup, or a few otos (cute and funny). Siamese algae eaters (the real ones with the black stripe, not the checkery giant sucky things) do an excellent job of nibbling at algae and leftovers, but they will partake at mealtimes, too. I really like my spotted Raphael cat, but he will eat any and everything that will fit into his disproportionately large mouth.
Have fun choosing!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Forever swimming the line between aqua-hobbyist and obsessed fanatic whose house looks like a pet store.  |
|
|
|
