Catfish Recommendation ?

[T22493]

I have a 27 gallon Oceanic Hexagon tank.
Its nearly a month old, cycled, and is currently housing..
4 Gold Barbs
2 Red Glass Barbs
2 Columbian Tetras
2 Zebra Danios


I need to add a catfish to my tank. I have a cave in my tank, and am going to purchase algae wafers.

My first instinct was a Pleco, but after researching them,
i feel in my small tank (and since this is my first noteworthy attempt at any aquarium)
that wouldn't be the best idea.

My next idea was a Bristlenose Catfish, but I can't seem to find them anywhere.

Any ideas on what my best bet would be?

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. :D

[daimen123]

why do you need to buy a cat fish? How are you sure your tank is cycled?

[talldutchie]

I have a 27 gallon Oceanic Hexagon tank.
Its nearly a month old, cycled, and is currently housing..
4 Gold Barbs
2 Red Glass Barbs
2 Columbian Tetras
2 Zebra Danios


I need to add a catfish to my tank.

No you don't. You need to sort out your tank though. You got several shoaling species in low numbers. Also hex tanks tend to have little floorspace and aren't suited to bigger bottom dwellers (or zebra danios for that matter)

[T22493]

Ok, I may be in the dark about a lot of things here....

When i bought my first stock of fish, (two days after the tank was set up)
I got four gold barbs and two red glass barbs.
I lost two of the gold ones early, and told the guy at my LFS about them two weeks later.
He told me to bring in a sample of my tank water, which i did the next day... He told me that my tank was cycled, my levels were stable, the barbs had probably died from the stress of the tank being new, and that i should be fine to add more fish.
Which, in my excitement, I did, and they're all still fine.

These fish were two replacement gold barbs, the tetras and danios.
I purchased these impulsively, with no knowledge of shoaling. Ha.

The gold and red barbs seem to mingle. They are active and seem healthy. I think they're satisfied with their numbers.

I do not want to complete the school of tetras. With a minimum of 8, I simply don't think there would be enough room for them. The two I do have seem perfectly fine, albeit a bit territorial.
I do plan on completing the school of danios very soon.

BUT, (this brings me back to the catfish) I was under the impression that I should get a clean-up crew fish before expanding the ranks above.

Maybe my best bet is another filter and bigger schools?

[T22493]

Also hex tanks tend to have little floorspace and aren't suited to bigger bottom dwellers (or zebra danios for that matter)

Talldutchie, Are my danios at risk here? I thought they stayed small and manageable. And mine stay near the top of the tank. Is this because they're confused and looking for more danios?

Thanks again, i appreciate the insight.

[daimen123]

I believe fish shouldn't be used as clean up crew that's what you are for. Good tank maintenance will do this. Your schools need to be fixed and Columbian tetra are one of the bigger tetra. I think by making your schools larger while lowering your species. Your tank will be much more fun and realistic.

[T22493]

Thank you, daimen. I've been so confused on what to do next.

Could you recommend a good bottom dweller for a beginner with a small tank? (if there is one...)

I'd love to have one once i get my numbers under control.

[daimen123]

do you have drift wood? Can you see any algae growing? have you checked your water parameters your self not going on what the store told you. if you can meet all of the questions and still tell me that they are all fine. Then I would say a bristle nose cat.

[T22493]

Thank you very much, sir.
Didn't realize i was that far from accommodating them.

Looking now, can't see a bit of algae... You probably saved me a lot of grief.

[daimen123]

you could also try a small school of cories but like I said your tank needs to be well maintained and stable for them also