5 Best Bottom Feeder Fish to Get for a Freshwater Aquarium

Bottom feeder fish are part of keeping a well-rounded aquarium. These fish will happily clean up the sediment along the bottom of the tank before it becomes detritus that can raise ammonia levels in your aquatic ecosystem. Commonly used is the Plecostomus, but the aquarium experts at Aquatic Warehouse have put together a list of 5 additional bottom dwellers that can add a little color and personality to the bottom of your tank.

1. Clown Loaches

The clown loach is a colorful orange and red fish with black bands that’s best kept in warm tropical tanks. Clown loaches prefer temperatures around 79-85 degrees to prevent illnesses such as ich, and they can be kept in large schools. They are slow-growing fish but can get up to 12-14 inches, and they also enjoy eating pesky snails.

2. Kuhli Loaches

These nocturnal worm-like fish grow from 2 to 4 inches and come in a variety of colors and stripes. They prefer a warmer tank from 75-86 degrees and love to burrow in to the substrate, which can make them hard to observe. When you do see them swimming, their squiggly swimming style is entertaining. The benefit of their burrowing behavior is that they find and eat food that has fallen into the substrate and has been missed by the other fish. They’re non-aggressive and like to be kept with several other fish.

3. Zebra Loaches

These fish are nocturnal bottom feeders that like to hide in plants, rocks, and logs. When they swim around the aquarium, they’re fun to watch due to their zebra-like stripes. This is another good fish for eating snails and sifting through sediment with its barbels to keep the tank and plant roots free of debris. Zebra loaches also enjoy burrowing in sand.

4. Geophagus

The Geophagus is a South American cichlid that comes in various sizes in the wild. In a community tank, it’s best to get a type that stays small and non-aggressive. These fish are eartheaters that pick up the substrate and sift through it to find food, letting the rest fall through their gills. This process is fun to watch.

5. Corydoras

Corydoras, also known as corys, are a small species of catfish that come in a variety of colors and markings, such as panda, albino, spotted, and bronze. Corys enjoy foraging and digging deep into the substrate, so it’s important to provide substrate that doesn’t have sharp edges that can cut the barbels or eyes. At 1.5 to 2 inches, these small fish should be kept in packs of three or more for them to feel secure.

To properly care for your bottom feeders and other types of fish in your tank, you need the right supplies. From beneficial bacteria to aquarium controllers, Aquatic Warehouse has everything you need to keep your aquarium running smoothly. Call 858-467-9297 today to speak with one of our experts.