Convicts and Bottom Feeders

[D21right]

Recently I have been doing some thinking and wondering if I should add some bottom feeders to my 40 Gallon. I Currently have a Breeding Pair of Cons, 2 Female Cons and 1 Blood Parrot. I was thinking of adding a few Cories but idk anything about them or which kind would go with my Cons. I have also considered adding a Rainbow Shark or Red Tailed Shark but not sure which one or how many of any of these fish I would get. What are your alls suggestions??

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Ummm... that tank is overstocked already. You really shouldn't be adding anything to it.

[toddnbecka]

I'd recommend swapping out the extra females for a raphael or bumblebee catfish, and provide some sort of suitable cover for the catfish.

[genocidex]

1 <3 my stripped raph cat. i would recommend them for any one who doesnt mind not seeing them much XD

[D21right]

I think I will try that, swapping my 2 extra Cons for a Cat would be a good idea, and I may look into Raph's. Thanks everyone

[toddnbecka]

Is the tank a 40 breeder (36x18) or a tall (36x12)?

[D21right]

Breeder Tank. The Cons like to swim long ways.

[fishguy66]

:devil: :devil: Recently I have been doing some thinking and wondering if I should add some bottom feeders to my 40 Gallon. I Currently have a Breeding Pair of Cons, 2 Female Cons and 1 Blood Parrot. I was thinking of adding a few Cories but idk anything about them or which kind would go with my Cons. I have also considered adding a Rainbow Shark or Red Tailed Shark but not sure which one or how many of any of these fish I would get. What are your alls suggestions??

Your tank is overstocked, I would get rid of all other cichlids before I added anything else.(I'm surprised that pair of convicts hasn't done some damage to other fish in tank!!) When you do this,as far as bottom feeders go, cories will probably get killed. A common or gibbiceps pleco will do the job, as will clown loaches. CL's are beautiful, do a great job of scavenging(although you should provide them w/ their own diet, not just scraps from the other fish), and, due to the sub-ocular spines they have, can & will defend themselves from just about any cichlid. The only thing w/ CL's is that they are a schooling fish, & should be kept at least in 3's. I have 3 in my 180 gl that are housed w/ a sub-adult( 6 inch) Managuense, & he learned REAL quick not to mess w/ them. I also have a royal & a gibbiceps pleco in there, & they have the armor(& attitude) to be housed w/ aggressive fish. Rainbow sharks & red-tailed sharks are really not efficient scavengers & will fight w/ the resident cichlids over available territories. I have a red-tail in a 55 w/ a pair of Dempseys, & they squabble all the time!!:22:

[D21right]

I decided not to add anything until I get a bigger tank and then I will consider some sort of bottom Feeder from there. Until Then I will stick with what I have. Thanks everyone.