Bottom feeders are fish species that live near the bottom of an aquarium and feed off uneaten food and other leftovers at its base.
Many bottom feeders feature barbels – fleshy whiskers that extend from their bodies and help sense what they’re scavenging – as well as inferior mouths that allow them to more efficiently scavenge food sources and take in nutrition from them.
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Catfish
Freshwater aquarium bottom feeders are a species that help keep the environment cleaner for longer by collecting pieces of food that sink to the bottom of your tank and cleaning up debris that accumulates there. They play an integral part in maintaining cleaner conditions for longer.
Some species possess sensory adaptations such as whisker-like structures that help them locate food at the bottom. Furthermore, they tend to search for any missed food sources from other fish.
Some species of catfish tend to be shyer, which is why they like burying themselves into the substrate to hide from predators. You can provide caves or other hiding spaces for these fish in your tank to make them more comfortable.
Crayfish
Crayfish are popular freshwater aquarium fish bottom feeders, making them easy to care for and highly adaptable to different water temperatures and conditions. They make great companions!
Pets of freshwater aquariums can also keep these shrimp as pets for relatively inexpensive costs, with most species eating shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and vegetables as food sources.
Crayfish inhabit waters such as rivers, streams, ponds and lakes in their natural environment and can reach up to 8 pounds in size; living up to 20 years.
Snails
Snails make fantastic freshwater aquarium fish bottom feeders. There are various species to choose from that make these snails an essential addition to any tank, whether adding one species or multiple.
Snails belong to the Gastropod class of organisms, one of the world’s most diverse animal classes. Only second to insects when it comes to named species diversity, snails can be found living in many environments around the globe.
Snails have evolved to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, featuring gills to aid their breathing while those on land use lung.
Corydoras
Corydoras are one of the most peaceful freshwater aquarium fish bottom feeders, known for their sweet temperament and ability to clean out detritus from your tank. Their bottom dweller nature allows them to actively remove algae growth while keeping your environment tidy.
They tend to live peacefully alongside most fish of their own kind and even some species of catfish if kept in a community tank environment, often schooling together in groups of five or more for an amazing synchronized water dance!
Cory catfish species-dependently prefer temperatures ranging from 72 to 82degF and pH levels between 6.5 to 7.8.
Yoyo Loaches
Yoyo Loaches make an attractive and easy addition to your aquarium, not only due to their stunning appearance but also because of their hardiness in thriving in various water conditions.
Freshwater fish such as these freshwater bettas make an excellent option for beginners and seasoned aquarists alike, living over 20 years in captivity when properly cared for.
These creatures come in all sorts of varieties, but all share one feature in common: long and slender bodies with conical shapes and an endowed head adorned with four pairs of barbels protrusion from their mouths.
As bottom-dwelling fish, they require plenty of room in which to dig and hide. Provide them with soft sand, rocks and driftwood as shelter.
