Spotlight Fish: Bottom Feeder Fish

A popular fish type that many people stock their aquariums with are Bottom Feeder -- or bottom-dwelling -- fish, which include loaches, Plecostomus (or Plecos), Cory catfish (Cory cats), Otocinclus catfish, crayfish, freshwater shrimp, and snails.

Bottom feeder fish are great to help create a well-rounded ecosystem within your tank. These fish help with eating left over food and algae from the aquarium. A popular fish type that many people stock their aquariums with are Bottom Feeder -- or bottom-dwelling -- fish, which include loaches, Plecostomus (or Plecos), Cory catfish (Cory cats), Otocinclus catfish, crayfish, freshwater shrimp, and snails.

Many bottom feeder fish or algae eaters like warmer, tropical aquariums such as 72°-78° F (22°-25°C) water. 

One big misconception about algae eating fish or bottom feeders is that they will clean the tank. Although, they will help with removing algae or leftover food, they also produce waste as well. They can help in some ways but also contribute to the amount of waste within the tank. They are not a “fix all” type fish in the tank. 

These types of fish require their own nutrition like API Bottom Feeder Pellets or API Algae Wafers. With any fish food, be sure to feed only as much as your fish can eat within 2-3 minutes. Dropping the food in an area where it is visible for observation will help determine how much food to give them.

When fish food goes uneaten, it dissolves into waste in your tank, spiking ammonia levels so that a water change is necessary. Levels of Ammonia within the water are harmful to all types of fish. If overfeeding is avoided, you will spend far less time cleaning your tank. Providing observational feeding (only feeding what your fish can consume within 1-2mins) will decrease the level of ammonia and waste in the aquarium. Keeping it cleaner for longer. 

Always do your research on the type of fish you currently have and if they would be compatible for new bottom feeder fish friends.  Bottom feeders are a great addition to your tank giving some movement at the bottom of the aquarium. Not to mention, fun to watch!