You don’t have to worry about compatibility too. They’re cute, easy to care for, and will methodically snack on any algae they find. These little guys are pretty much the perfect low-maintenance fish for a freshwater tank. ShrimpĪnother great bottom-dwelling fish is the Otocinclus. Honestly, you really can’t go wrong with the Cory. These fish are used to plenty of vegetation in their natural environment, so supplying this will keep them happy and stress-free. Due to their small size, you’ll be able to keep a handful in a 20-gallon tank before needing to upgrade.Ĭory catfish also love having plants in their habitat, so if you’re someone who enjoys that element of fishkeeping this will be a match made in heaven. Keep that in mind when considering the cory. These are fish that really enjoy being with a few others of their own kind. If you’re able to navigate this process successfully it’s smooth sailing from there on out! The biggest thing you have to worry about is their sensitivity to new tank conditions after you buy them.

These fish have a great temperament and are super easy to take care of. In fact, they’re such a good choice that we made a point to write one of our first care guides about this fish when starting the site. Bumblebee GobyĪ go-to bottom feeder fish that you really can’t go wrong with is the Corydoras. If it seems like more time than you’re willing to spend, pick another fish from this list. However, if you don’t their lifespan will shorten significantly.īe honest with yourself as an aquarist about what kind of work you’re willing to put in to support this bottom feeder. If you do a good job with this then your little twig will likely live for a long time (almost ten years). The one thing that’s worth noting about this bottom feeder is that they need very high water quality in order to thrive. We think it’s a fun game to try and locate them though! This is by design since it’s a defense mechanism to try and avoid predators. They’ll often plop down on the substrate and lay there. It can actually be a little tricky to find them in your aquarium sometimes. Their long and lean bodies are very fun to watch swim around the tank especially among so many other wider fish. These are a super neat bottom-dwelling fish that will stand out no matter who their tank mates are! Their names really tell the whole story when you look at these little critters.ĭespite their skinny build, the Twig Catfish can grow to be around half a foot long.

Flat bottom feeder fish