what type of bottom feeders would be good in a 55 gal?

Answer 1

Plecos!!! The plecostomous (sp?) fish is going to be quite happy in a 55 gallon and you'll be shocked as to how large it'll get. Just ask the fish breeder for a large pleco and they'll hook ya up.

Answer 2

I have a 55 gallon tank, but would NOT recommend getting a large pleco for it. A large pleco can get up to 18 inches in length. Yes, a 55 gallon could possibly house a fish of that size, but you wouldn't be able to put much else in there, and you wouldn't be able to have many decorations. If you put a large pleco in there, you could put maybe one other big fish in with it. Large plecos (commons and other large varieites... most...) are really pond fish. Why not try something a bit more...e xciting? Plecos tend to hide quite a bit, especially in the daytime, and aren't very active. Also, once they get older, many won't eat algae anymore, which is why most people buy them. Here are some ideas;

Yoyo Loaches: VERY active. Get a school of 6 of them. They're also called reticulated loaches or pakastini loaches. if you look at a couple pictures on the internet though, they're easy to identify in a fish store. I'd call around and ask if any of htem have them. I had no trouble finding them for my tank, but it depends on your area. They're very cool fish. http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-almorhae

Dojo (Weather) Loaches: Also very cool, they get larger, about 8 inches, and when the weather changes, they get VERY active (they can sense barometric pressure changes or something) http://www.loaches.com/species-index/weather-loach-misgurnis-anguillicaudatus I'm a fan of the gold ones. I have 2. They're actually very interesting and fun fish to have.

Cory catfish. Any fish store will have multiple varieties of these. They are also very active fish, and will randomly dart up to the surface, seeming to take a "breath". They are school fish, so you need at least 5 of each species. They will swim around together and seem to chase each other. Here are some pictures of several varieties:
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/cory-aen.htm
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/panda.htm
But they really come in all different colors and color patterns.

Depending on the other types of fish you have (assuming they're not too large) you could also get some different kinds of shrimp:
http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Shrimp/ Shrimp are definately interesting, I've had them in the past. They will also eat the scraps on the bottom of a tank, which is really what a bottom feeders job is. They don't eat fish waste despite what many people think...

Plecos can be pretty fish, I just find them boring. They aren't the best bottom feeders either. They need driftwood as well to rasp on. The fish I mentioned will pick up any scraps that fall to the bottom, happily. In my 55 gallon I have a school of 8 cories, 2 dojo loaches and 5 yoyo loaches. I like variety though. You could definately stick with only one kind.

Answer 3

Definately a plecostamus! Or two or three. They'll grow large and be very beautiful in a 55 gallon tank.

Answer 4

corydoras do very well in community tanks. And they can grow up to 5inches. Loaches are a great type of fish.

Check this website out, it has much information on all types of fish, including their specifications, maximum growth, ph levels and also owners comments.
http://www.aquahobby.com

Answer 5

Definately get a Placo. A large one at that. It will be a perfect addition to such a large tank. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I have a fondness for plecostomus................the bigger, the better...........but I suppose it depends if you are talking fresh or saltwater, and what other type of fish you will have in there. Goldfish will eat plecostomuses, if they are not larger than the goldfish. They are very aggressive.
If you have some other type of fish, you might not have such an issue.

Answer 7

DRUG DEALERS,,,child molesters...lots of bottom feeders out there........but what do we do with them when the tanks full