What's a good bottom feeder for a 10 gallon tank?

Question

Hey i'm looking for a type of bottom feeder that will do a great job at keeping the bottom of my tank clean any ideas?

great idea! are they hard to find at a LFS?

Answer 1

A small school of pygmy corydoras would be great for a tank that size.

Answer 2

Mike, like soop said, you're never going to get your substrate completely clean. There is no fish that eats waste. Now all the others gave you great input here on bottom feeders, and for a 10 gallon tank, I'm going to concur with all the others that cory catfish is your best option. Now I can't rule out that you might not have like cichlids or something you shouldn't in a 10 gallon tank. I'm willing to bet that everyone that has answered so far has tended to questions regarding fish that shouldn't be in the tank they are. I'm not saying this is the case for you, but just in the event there is something else there in your 10 gallon tank, there are some species of fish that will attack or harass cories. That would be the only factor I can think of to consider. If you have typical community fish, even barbs, I'd say you don't have anything to worry about from that point of view.

There are several different species of cories out there, and all pretty much have and need the same water conditions. Most LFS's should carry them yes. Pick the ones you feel are best appealing towards you. Be wary any significant price differences. If you are in doubt, as to why one species might cost more then others, feel free to drop me an email.

Answer 3

Corydoras catfish are great little bottom feeders that only get about 2 inches in length. They like to be kept in schools of at least 6, though. For a 10g, a school of 6-7 pygmy cories would be ideal. They're very peaceful and will get along with most fish.

You do have to remember, though, that cories should get their own food along with scraps from above. Sinking pellets and blood worms are good foods for them. Also, it's important to have a smooth substrate, with sand being ideal, because cories have delicate barbels that they use to find food. Rough gravel can wear these barbels down.

Do NOT get a pleco. Most plecos get very large and WILL outgrow a 10 gallon tank. The whole "fish only grow to the size of the tank" thing is a myth. Also, they produce a lot of waste, which will dirty your water and defeat the purpose of having them.

[edit] Most LFS have cories of some sort, although pygmy cories aren't as common. You can probably order them, though. There's also a great site you can order them online from. I've ordered from this site myself, and my little c. similis are doing just fine. :)

http://www.corysrus.com/index.html

Answer 4

You're never gonna find anything that keeps your tank clean for you because all animals produce waste. While Cories, snails, and shrimp may eat left over food, they all leave lovely feces and urea in the water and on your gravel (which really defeats the purpose of getting them in the first place). The best way to keep the bottom of your tank clean is to introduce a gravel siphon.

Soop Nazi

Answer 5

Cory cats. There is a clown Pleco that only gets 4 inches instead of 24 like most. But that is still a lot for 10 gallons.

Answer 6

corydoras catfish are good...
they are not cheap but they will make good bottom feeders for your tank but you must keep at least 5 of them in the tank....
but a janitor fish could survive alone...

Answer 7

Snails or Freshwater shrimp help immensely, plue if you decide to upgrade, they move over fine!

Answer 8

a pleco
they won't get that big in a 10 gallon and they do an EXCELLENT job. also, it isn't necesarry for them to have their own flake food. they are sort of leopard spotted and really cool looking. I have had quite a few and they live for a long time.