Downward Dog

OK, so I'd like to get a bottom feeder for my tank to help clean up the food that inevitably gets deposited there. I've got a Swordtail, 2 neons, 1 glowlight, and a Zebra snail in a 10 gal tank.

Is there a list somewhere on this site that shows all the bottom feeders? I had an albino cory, who I loved, but considering my small tank, am wondering if another kind is better (I will probably only get one as I don't want to overstock).

tx,
Lenore

Shawnie

I think you are maxed as far as fish....you arent overstocked but most bottom feeders, like cories, need 3-5 to be safe with their own...and that would throw you to the max...your snail doesnt get the leftovers? what about a few more snails?

jdhef

If there is more food on the bottom of your tank than your snail can handle, you may be overfeeding your fish. A fishes stomach is said to be the same size as it's eye, so it doesn't take a whole lot of food to feed a fish. Plus since they are cold blooded, they do not require that much food, since they don't require calories for keeping up a body temperature.

MizRamzi

You could also go with some other inverts. Amano shrimp. Their always busy and you need not worry about over stocking. Same goes for Ghost Shrimp and they are very cheap. If you go with more snails make sure you use some sort of calcium supplement for their shells. Believe it or not, plain ole school chalk works great. Personally, I have Amano shrimp.
Hope this helps!