Bottom feeder fish are an essential addition to any aquarium and help keep its waters clear by eating algae, dead plant matter and any leftover food left by other fish in the tank. They eat away at these issues with gusto!
These fish tend to keep themselves to themselves and are ideal for community tanks with at least 75 gallons in size.
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Catfish
These fish make great additions to any tank as they help keep its substrate clean by eating any organic material that falls to the bottom, such as dead plants or uneaten food left by other fish.
Catfish belong to the order Siluriformes and share close affinities with characins, carp and minnows (order Cypriniformes).
They prefer living near the bottom of bodies of water that can be either murky or cloudy. Their bodies are either exposed or armoured with bony plates; no scales exist on their bodies. Instead, these animals feature long barbels near their mouths which resemble cat whiskers for sensing movements or vibrations in their environment.
Scavenger fishes feed on detritus found at the bottom of lakes or rivers, usually sitting at the lowest trophic level in marine food webs. Their movement tends to be slow, spending much time resting and filtering sediment at their bases.
Eels
Of all the charismatic animals like bears and lions, smaller fish such as eels can often have more impactful contributions to ecosystems and economies. Eels represent over 800 species belonging to Anguilliformes order alone!
Eels possess an extraordinary life cycle, from development and growth in open waters through planktonic larval stages and adulthood transformation, migration to oceanic spawning areas and finally back out again to sea again as adults. This process, known as symbiotic eusocial aggregation, allows them to increase population while protecting them against predators.
Eels migrate to their breeding areas within their area of adult distribution; some marine eels migrate long distances. Their migrations have inspired numerous novels such as Gunter Grass’ The Tin Drum and Jo Nesbo’s Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo; in Nazi-era Danzig, Hanns Schweighart becomes obsessed with fishing for eels; this brutal practice causes Hanns Schweighart’s brain damage.
Grouper
Grouper are a diverse family (Serranidae) of large-mouthed reef fishes belonging to the Serranidae suborder found throughout tropical reef environments. Ranging in size from 11 inch coneys up to 8 foot Goliath groupers, their colors vary between dull greens and browns to more vivid patterns; deeper waters tend to feature redder hues in certain species; all become protogynous hermaphrodites with females evolving into males during adulthood; these fishes transform from female into males during adulthood transforming from female into males by maturation of both genders during adulthood transforming from female into males during adulthood transforming females into males over time transforming into males during adulthood.
Groupers use various techniques to hunt other benthic animals. Some hide among rocks and crevices, while others use their body movements to stir up sand to disguise themselves like oceanic bobbit worms;[3] or burrow into the floor terrain to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Some species of grouper fishes, like the tropical Atlantic food fish Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), have been classified by IUCN as critically endangered due to overfishing. Grouper is prized as food; when caught it boasts firm texture with large flake size and mild flavor.
Loaches
Loaches make an exciting addition to any tropical freshwater aquarium. These peaceful scavengers spend their time rooting around on the bottom for food scraps – perfect for beginners looking for low maintenance tank inhabitants that still add interest. Loaches come in various colors and are relatively affordable too!
Loaches vary considerably in their water conditions depending on which species is kept; in general they do best in larger tanks with sandy substrate and plenty of hiding spaces. Some species such as the horsehead loach (Cobitis taenia) is especially fascinating with small scales and whisker-like barbels around its mouth that create unique features and patterns.
Loaches are communal spawners, so it’s essential that they be kept in groups of 5 or more for maximum effectiveness. Feed them a healthy diet of high-quality fish flakes, pellets and wafers along with live or frozen foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms for maximum success.
