what is a good bottom feeder for my new Oscar tank (once i get it).
i was thinking ghost shrimp, but cause they are so small would the Oscars eat them up.
all suggestions are welcome.

Pictus Cats make good bottom feeders in an Oscar tank, also pleco's that only get 6-8 inches long.

But Ghost shrimp would be a ghost lunch! LOL

from what i have read on here, most people say whatever can fit in his mouth will usually end up as food lol

what about a clown loach?

I love Clown Loaches.... Beautiful fish.

I also read that clowns need perfectly clean water conditions.

I have had this Emerald Cory for a while, and he is growing on me more and more each day. He sure puts in work. Just not sure if the Oscar will eat his friend when he gets bigger.

i am not sure but i am not so much concern about bottom feeder.
i always put a lot of grass shrimp but those are for feeds, not
as bottom cleaner. the lone survivor at my gold fish tank at my office:
in my oscar tank...not a chance to survive for a day.

depends on the tank size? a small catfish would do a good job of picking up left overs. these are a favorite of mine. they reach 8"ish max, fairly tough fish, none aggressive and can go with smaller fish without much trouble. they have the advantage of looking like a proper large cat just a smaller version. will suit a smaller tank.

How common are those catfish?

If you are looking for a good algae eater you can't beat a bristlenose pleco. A lot of aquarium enthusiasts say that bristlenose plecos are the best "cure" for algae problems...They generally grow to about 4-8 inches (depending on the exact species), large enough not to be threatened by larger fish and yet small enough that they don't cause messes like the larger common plecos.

Very interesting to watch, unique looking, good cleaners, and don't leave copious amounts of waste.

How common are those, I don't want to have to drive out of state to find one for sale.

gcollin wrote:


Usually the large chain stores such as petco do not carry them, mostly they have common plecos which grow upwards of one and a half feet. You could call one though and try and talk to a 'fish' person and see if they know of anywhere local. Most petco employees are really just general employees and don't know too much about the fish, but the one I go to happens to have a good guy who knows alot about plecos and I talk to him alot for advice, so you never know...

Try some of the smaller local chains or individual privately run pet stores...also check if there are stores that solely deal in aquatics around you. I have an 'aquarium superstore' near me and they carry a huge assortment of freshwater/brackish/saltwater fish both large and small. Generally these type places also have a TON of equipment, food, and chemicals that you wouldn't be able to find at the big chains and they're usually cheaper too. Check the yellow pages online near you and call around, I'd be very surprised if you lived near any metropolitan area and can't find one, although alot of these specialty stores have shut down lately due to the economy--people just can't seem to afford expensive hobbies like keeping larger fish anymore, it seems

Again though, if you don't have all your equipment yet and money is a concern and your tank is too small for the fish you currently have..I wouldn't stock my tank with any more fish or spend money on them until I have everything else in hand.