5 Bottom Dwellers You Can Add to Your Freshwater Aquarium

Though there are freshwater aquarium supplies that can help you keep your tank clean, you can also take care of a tank by adding some bottom dwellers. Here are some of the best bottom dwellers to consider.

1. Corydoras

Corydoras are great bottom dwellers for aquariums because they’re small and like to dwell in groups of six or more. Certain varieties of Corydoras include Albino, Bronze, Salt and Pepper, and many others. If you want to add a large school of fish to your tank, Dwarf Corydoras are the best ones to use. Keep in mind most Corydoras are expensive. There are hundreds of species to choose from, so make your decision wisely. Corydoras are a great choice because they swim in groups and hide at the bottom of the tank. They’re likable enough that they’ll get along with any other species. Don’t forget about the super-cute Panda Corys that look a lot like the famous Panda Bears everyone just loves!

2. Shrimp

While shrimp make great bottom dwellers, they don’t get along with all fish. Just like our penchant for yummy “shrimp on the barbie,” larger fish love them too, so you might not have shrimp for much longer. Shrimp come in a wide variety of colors, and they’re kind of like the “maids” of aquariums since they clean all of the hard-to-reach places. Shrimp also love to reproduce, so more may appear in your tank over time. They’re one of the best bottom dwellers you can have as long as you have compatible fish.

3. Loaches

Loaches come in several varieties, but the best bottom dwellers are: 

•  Clown
•  Kuhli
•  Dwarf Chain
•  Zebra

Each of these loaches has different personalities and appearances. The Clown is great for dwelling in big groups and can grow between 12 to 14 inches. These fish require large aquariums for their size. The Kuhli is smaller at 3 1/2 inches. They look like eels and typically will scavenge around the tank, especially at night. The Dwarf Chain is best to use among a school of fish, while the Zebra is ideal if you want to add a trio of fish in your tank.

4. Synodontis Lucipinnis

Though these fish aren’t nearly as attractive as some of the other ones on this list, they make great aquarium cleaners, plus a lot of them live and swim upside down, which is cool to watch. They’ll efficiently clean the bottom of your tank. It’s best to keep them in a group of three or more, but they can stand out on their own. Since these fish are quite expensive, make sure you’re prepared to invest in their care.

5. Geophagus

The Geophagus is another name for “sand-sifter” or “eartheater.” These fish will gladly eat from the bottom of your aquarium. It grabs mouthfuls of sand, sifts through it, and spits it back out, which is very fun to watch. This fish is a larger species that measures between 6 and 10 inches. Some species of Geophagus are feistier than others. One thing to watch out for is that these fish might dig up your plants. Place rocks around your plants to prevent this from happening. Otherwise, they’re great at keeping aquariums clean.

If you’d like to learn more about bottom dwellers or other types of fish that might be suitable for your particular tank, get in touch with Aquatic Warehouse. From freshwater planted aquariums to products you can use for an outdoor pond, we have it all. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call today at 858-467-9297.