Bottom dwellers for 15 gal

currently in my 15 gal i have four wcmm and four guppies and some bladder snails. the substrate is white gravel and the temp is 22 degrees. theres a few black rocks with anubias nana petit, a big clump of java moss and a few stems of rotala.
the wcmm probably arent going to be permanent residents in this tank so im not neccesarily looking for a fish/animal that is compatible with them.
the guppies (obviously) spend most of their time towards the top of the tank so i was hoping to get some bottom dwellers. Kuhli loaches really interest me so does anyone have experience with guppies and kuhlis? im also open to other kinds of loaches or catfish. any other suggestions are welcome but i dont really want red cherry shrimp in this tank.

 

I've kept guppies with Kuhli loaches before. They pretty much never interacted with each other.

 

You don’t have enough room for kuhli loaches. You may be able to get some Pygmy Cories at that temp, but it’s on the cool side. They would work well in a tank that size though.

 

Corydoras, or have you considered otocinclus catfish? They're perfect for that size.

 

I've kept guppies with Kuhli loaches before. They pretty much never interacted with each other.

thats some very good news. what kind of parameters did you keep with yours? And what size was the tank? Size is a worry for me

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You don’t have enough room for kuhli loaches. You may be able to get some Pygmy Cories at that temp, but it’s on the cool side. They would work well in a tank that size though.

That’s what i was worried i would hear. Would Pygmy cories get along with the guppies? They’re pretty hard to find around here and when they’re there they’re pretty expensive but if they’re my best bet then I’ll go for it

Corydoras, or have you considered otocinclus catfish? They're perfect for that size.

How many ottos cold i fit in there?

I read that Pygmy cories are mid dwellers so that’s not looking good unless anyone wants to tell me otherwise

 

I read that Pygmy cories are mid dwellers so that’s not looking good unless anyone wants to tell me otherwise

Why isn't it looking good? Just because a website says they dwell on a certain level doesn't mean they will. I'm not saying they won't dwell in the middle though. If you mean that it makes them incompatible, I would doubt so. If you mean you just would prefer something that is on the bottom, I understand.

 

I read that Pygmy cories are mid dwellers so that’s not looking good unless anyone wants to tell me otherwise

I have pygmy cories and guppies together—they get along well. The cories are low-mid dwellers in my tank. They will swim the whole tank height during feeding time, but otherwise spend their time scouring the bottom and shorter plants, along with taking quick, random naps on anubias leaves. The main problem I have with the two is that the guppies eat everything I drop for the cories. The cories seem to still find enough food but the guppies sometimes end up eating too much. I’ve tried different types of food, distractions, different feeding times—none of it has helped. If there’s a successful way around this, I haven’t learned about it yet.

 

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Why isn't it looking good? Just because a website says they dwell on a certain level doesn't mean they will. I'm not saying they won't dwell in the middle though. If you mean that it makes them incompatible, I would doubt so. If you mean you just would prefer something that is on the bottom, I understand.

i would prefer a bottom dweller but That’s not set in stone at all

Have you tried flakes and

I have pygmy cories and guppies together—they get along well. The cories are low-mid dwellers in my tank. They will swim the whole tank height during feeding time, but otherwise spend their time scouring the bottom and shorter plants, along with taking quick, random naps on anubias leaves. The main problem I have with the two is that the guppies eat everything I drop for the cories. The cories seem to still find enough food but the guppies sometimes end up eating too much. I’ve tried different types of food, distractions, different feeding times—none of it has helped. If there’s a successful way around this, I haven’t learned about it yet.

Have you tried flakes and then dropping sinking pellets while the guppies are eating or dropping the pellets down a straw so they make it to the bottom? Sounds like you’ve got a good thing going so I’m definitely tempted

 

Have you tried flakes and

Have you tried flakes and then dropping sinking pellets while the guppies are eating or dropping the pellets down a straw so they make it to the bottom? Sounds like you’ve got a good thing going so I’m definitely tempted

I haven’t tried a straw, but I’ve tried pellets that immediately sink while feeding the guppies food that floats. As soon as they’re done eating, they head to the bottom to eat the sunken food. The cories aren’t very fast with realizing it’s food and deciding to eat it. They usually end up just getting the few crumbs that are left.

 

Are they just not finding the bottom food, try some sinking shrimp pellets my corys smell the pellets as soon as it hits the H2o

“stay fishy “

 

How many ottos cold i fit in there?

About 4 or so

 

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About 4 or so

Oh that sounds good

I haven’t tried a straw, but I’ve tried pellets that immediately sink while feeding the guppies food that floats. As soon as they’re done eating, they head to the bottom to eat the sunken food. The cories aren’t very fast with realizing it’s food and deciding to eat it. They usually end up just getting the few crumbs that are left.

Something I’ve noticed since getting cories (about a week ago so don’t get excited) is that they eat a lot. At least a whole lot more than my shrimp do. I feed about three times the amount i used to and I’ve only got 2 albinos but they always chow right down. It sounds like you might hav two separate them for feeding maybe. Or putting pellets somewhere the guppies don’t go like in a cave or something... I’m a little stumped but let me know if you work something out

So it seems right now I’m choosing between Pygmy cories and ottos and whatever else may be suggested... also the tank isn’t heavily planted right now but if i need to i would be happy to add in more plants and caves if it will make the fish happier. It’s just a pretty simple layout right now

 

Corydora catfish. Doesn't have to be pygmy. I have 2 peppered cories in my 10 gallon rn. They're awesome and fun to watch.

 

habrosus cory (salt and pepper cory) are a smaller cory that will do fine at your current temp, they also spend more time at the bottom than other dwarf corys and school a little less. They also super cute imo. lol

 

Btw Corydoras do have to be in schools of 5 or more (I think) so they are not stressed.

 

cpo.

 

Corydora catfish. Doesn't have to be pygmy. I have 2 peppered cories in my 10 gallon rn. They're awesome and fun to watch.

People are saying specific corys because some will get cramped in a 15 gallon

 

Oh that sounds good

Otos are not the way to go. They are not bottom dwellers but more of mid dwellers tending to hang on the glass or plants, plus they are algae eaters and 4 will starve the tank of algae in no time.

 

Corydora catfish. Doesn't have to be pygmy. I have 2 peppered cories in my 10 gallon rn. They're awesome and fun to watch.

i was considering that or panda cories, the only thing is that they like to shoal so im not too sure about keeping just two

cpo.

what is cpo? or do you mean cpd?

Otos are not the way to go. They are not bottom dwellers but more of mid dwellers tending to hang on the glass or plants, plus they are algae eaters and 4 will starve the tank of algae in no time.

i have no problem providing veggies and pellet foods for them. also, im coming around to mid dwellers because ive realised that my current fish spend their time up so high and expecially when i come past they go up to the surface anticipating food, i just want to have some color and movement lower down.

 

what is cpo? or do you mean cpd?

He means CPO crayfish. Though TBH I don't think they will work together because CPOs can nip other fish. I'm not 100% sure though, that is entirely just an educated guess, do some more research

 

You should have at least two. The more the merrier, but mine are perfectly hair

You should have at least two. The more the merrier, but mine are perfectly hair

Happy, not hair lol

 

Corydoras, or have you considered otocinclus catfish? They're perfect for that size.

I second that!

 

i have no problem providing veggies and pellet foods for them. also, im coming around to mid dwellers because ive realised that my current fish spend their time up so high and expecially when i come past they go up to the surface anticipating food, i just want to have some color and movement lower down.

Problem is they can't survive on veggies alone and they almost never take dry foods.

 

I vote for corydoras! They're AWESOME

 

Btw Corydoras do have to be in schools of 5 or more (I think) so they are not stressed.

Imo the minimum is 3-4, but always try to get 6

 

Ok are you saying you allready have albino Cory’s? If so how many. For ottos no more than 2. Just not enough algae for more. For Pygmy Cory’s I have 10 in a 15 shrimp tank. They sometimes school in the middle of the tank but do spend most of there time on the bottom. But if you allready have Cory’s than you won’t need the pygmies. Also guppies can go in warmer water.

 

I did mean CPO crayfish, and they can live together. they are peaceful as shrimp and as cool as crayfish.... the best of both worlds.

 

From what i've read there are 3 species of Pygmy Corydoras, "Pygmaeus" are the ones that typically stay around the bottom and the other 2 are mid swimmers similar to Rasbora and the like

My recommendation would be Rosy Loaches, they stay small and are absolutely adorable

 

Ok are you saying you allready have albino Cory’s? If so how many. For ottos no more than 2. Just not enough algae for more. For Pygmy Cory’s I have 10 in a 15 shrimp tank. They sometimes school in the middle of the tank but do spend most of there time on the bottom. But if you allready have Cory’s than you won’t need the pygmies. Also guppies can go in warmer water.

The albino cories i already have are in my 31 gal shrimp tank.

From what i've read there are 3 species of Pygmy Corydoras, "Pygmaeus" are the ones that typically stay around the bottom and the other 2 are mid swimmers similar to Rasbora and the like

My recommendation would be Rosy Loaches, they stay small and are absolutely adorable

Ooh my eyes perked up to loaches