Tropical bottom feeders are fish species that spend most of their time near the floor of your aquarium, often lounging about. They typically feature flat ventral regions (that’s scientific speak for bellies) with mouths that have downturned corners to act like sucker mouths for latching onto surfaces while foraging for food.
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Bumblebee Goby
Bumblebee gobies are iconic bottom feeders. They prefer fine coral sand or mud substrate, and should be kept in groups (with males kept separate as they become quite territorial). A large tank would provide ample hiding spots such as driftwood tangles and shells as well as water worn rocks for these fish to thrive in.
Orchids can co-habitate peacefully with other species provided that their size does not prevent it. When fighting over territory or mating rights, however, aggression may arise.
This fish species inhabits freshwater and brackish river estuaries, streams and mangrove swamps throughout Southeast Asia in its natural environment. Aquarium conditions should provide slightly brackish conditions with specific gravity between 1.005 and 1.008 for optimal conditions in both pre-mixed saltwater or freshwater mixed with marine salt; regular 20% water changes and close monitoring of salinity levels is important to keeping this fish healthy; they feed on small aquatic invertebrates and larval fish species alike.
Siamese Algae Eater
Crossocheilus siamensis) has long been considered an aquarium industry favorite, being known for being peaceful creatures that get along well with tank inhabitants and water plants, making them ideal for beginners looking to set up a community aquarium.
These fish are omnivorous and should be fed a variety of live, frozen and dry herbivorous food sources as well as small crustaceans and insects. For optimal performance in warm tropical waters they require filters capable of handling large loads of organic waste while simultaneously creating sufficient water circulation.
Water parameters that may compromise their health must also be properly managed; tanks must remain clean and properly filtered for best results. In order to keep these sensitive fish happy, they should also be kept together as groups; otherwise they can become aggressive towards other fish, particularly hillstream loaches. It should be noted that male and female SAE fish look similar with only visible differences being that females possess a wider midsection.
Bristlenose Catfish
Bristlenose Catfish (Ancistrus cirrhosus in Loricariidae family) are an easy and beautiful addition to freshwater tanks, ideal for novice fish owners as they thrive in fast-flowing water conditions without needing specific pH levels.
These fish prefer deep substrates made up of clay-based material that they can “vacuum” with their mouths while searching for food and hiding places. Being extremely peaceful fish species, Neon Tetras, Platys or Guppys will not disturb these types of tank inhabitants and make an excellent addition for community tanks with other inhabitants such as Neon Tetras, Platys or Guppys.
Bristlenose species of fish are easily distinguished from one another by the tentacle-like bristles that sprout from their snouts, known as bristles. Males display more bristles than females; this characteristic becomes particularly obvious around their suckermouth area and gives the Bristlenose its name; typically this feature becomes manifest when fish reach maturity.
Otocinclus
These fish possess armor plating to help them cope with rough surfaces when scraping algae off sandy river bottoms in their native environment. Otocinclus are peaceful and non-aggressive fish that make great tankmates with most other types of aquatic life; however, large or aggressive species should be kept apart as this species has been reported to attach itself to larger fins in order to eat slime from them, potentially becoming dangerous when these larger ones retaliate by biting back or becoming aggressive towards one or both animals involved.
These tiny fish can grow quickly while remaining easy to care for. Their ideal environment should include soft water that has slightly acidic conditions with as few nitrates and ammonia levels as possible, plus an aquarium filled with plants and rocks for hiding spots.
Otocinclus are natural grazers, and should be fed algae wafers or catfish pellets two to four times weekly. In order to encourage algae growth, adding some bogwood, driftwood or rocks is also highly recommended; slow growing plant species such as Anubias, Java fern and Echinodorus make great additions in this regard.
