Argentis Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hi, I'm in the process of stocking my 20g tank (24" X 12" X 14ish"), and I can't decide on some bottom dwellers. Right now, it's a toss-up between cory cats (not sure what species specifically yet), and a small pleco, probably a clown or bristlenose, based on what I've seen in LFS around here. I really like the looks of the plecos, but are they veryactive? I had corys before, and they were always on the move. I also really like the look of the spotted raphael cat, but I've read they are noctournal, and I'm not too sure I want a fish that I'll almost never see. I haven't had too much luck with Otto cats, so I'm not really too thrilled about getting more of these guys. They were great, but they seemed pretty fragile the last few times I've bought them. So are there any other options for me to consider? Another option might be a very slow growing species, since I am getting a 75g+ tank in about a year's time. Help! Thanks in advance, Argentis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I'd go with a small school of corys (or a large school, if you go with a dwarf species) and a pleco. Clowns stay about 1/2 the size of BNs, but both are more nocturnal. I think a Clown plec is more suited to a 20 gal than a BN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 (edited) Very cool, that's great news Jason. Thanks for the reply. Edit: What species of Cory cats would you recommend? I like both the Elegens and bronze cory species. Would a trio of these guys be ok? Or I guess maybe 4 Panda corys, and a clown pelco perhaps. Edited February 7, 2008 by Argentis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I'd go w. at least 4 corys - they like company. If you like C. hasbrosus or C. hastatus, then you could easily go w. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottomdweller_fan Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I purchased 3 Hara Hara Catfish (Indian Moth Catfish) from Henry. They stay small (2.5 - 2.75") and they look a lot like the Raphaels. However, they do not seem as nocturnal as the Raphs. I enjoy watching them check out the tank with their "whiskers". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 (edited) Jason, I'm also planning to add the following, I might be a bit overstocked with 12 dwarf corys. Here's what I have in the tank right now: 4 Blue swordtails Here's what I'd like to add: 6 Neon tetras or small rainbows (threadfin or celebes) 1 Clown pleco 6 dwarf corys 1 African butterflyfish - not 100% sure about this one, might be pushing the stocking with this. I'm also open to other suggestions on other fish. Argentis Also, can any Calgarians let me know where I can find the dwarf corys mentioned above? Edited February 7, 2008 by Argentis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 The butterfly will eat most of those fish - they've got huge mouths! :w00t: Otherwise, you look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 That's what I thought, but there's a topdweller request up in the general forum, and someone said they have one with neons and similar fish with no problems. Any other suggestions for top dwellers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 The only thing you have to watch with clown plecos is that they need wood so you will also need some bogwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 The only thing you have to watch with clown plecos is that they need wood so you will also need some bogwood. This goes for most plecos, so clown or BN it's a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Almost a step ahead of you guys :P. I'm hoping to find some bogwood this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Aquagiant has a really good price on bogwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argentis Posted February 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Well, I checked their site, and the price does look good, but we don't have one here in Calgary (as far as I know), and bogwood is one thing, I'd like to see before I buy it, just so I get the right shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duh duh duh Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 I purchased 3 Hara Hara Catfish (Indian Moth Catfish) from Henry. They stay small (2.5 - 2.75") and they look a lot like the Raphaels. However, they do not seem as nocturnal as the Raphs.I enjoy watching them check out the tank with their "whiskers". Do Hara hara or raphaels eat other bottom feeders or fish? Do they eat algae? Years ago I had a raphael in a tank with some oscars and he was fine. Now I've got a tank full of livebearers that I qutie like but am having some issues with algea and am thinking of adding another bottom feeder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Years ago I had a raphael in a tank with some oscars and he was fine. Now I've got a tank full of livebearers that I qutie like but am having some issues with algea and am thinking of adding another bottom feeder. A bottom feeder will not eat your algae you need a pleco or oto or some other algae eating fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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