Best Bottom Feeder For Peaceful, Scary fish?

[Joshuakahan]

I have 2 Blood Red Parrots, and 1 Golden Severum in a 40 gallon breeder together. They have just been placed here after a move from a 55 gallon tank and are stressed. I moved them because of algae problems, and hope to not have them. I have gotten items so this won't happen, but still want a bottom feeder. Please experienced fish keeps help me make the choice. BTW Blood Parrot, and Severum aren't that big, and still juveniles but not that small either they're in their growing process. Plecos, algae eaters,?

If you’re looking for algae control I would say some type of snail or a BN pleco.

 

[Magnus_Bane]

I have, but because of me having a Golden Severum in the tank once it get older it is known to like to eat snails. Thanks for your advice!

The nice thing about nerite snails is that most fish won't bother with them due to a chemical they produce in their bodies that makes them taste terrible. It's not 100% fool proof but for most fish it seems to work. Also if ya want a more defensive snail I would recommend a horned nerite. Not only to they look BA imo but those spikes on their shells definitely help protect it from curious fish looking for an easy meal.

 

[Dalfrey86]

If you’re looking for algae control I would say some type of snail or a BN pleco.

+1
My BP and African Cichlids want nothing to do with a BN pleco. If you want success get a pair.

 

[burntrubber]

Never kept BP but my Severum is the nicest cichlid I've owned.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Never kept BP but my Severum is the nicest cichlid I've owned.

Severums are weird like that, I traded mine because it was one of the meanest I’ve ever owned lol and I have a buttikoferi

 

[burntrubber]

From observations of my tank, the dominant cichlid will mess around with other cichlids it deems a threat and leave all other species alone. I have a GT (The Boss), a Serv, a RHT Eartheater, a angel fish and a flag cichlid. I also have lima cats, hoplo cats and a BGK. The GT picks on the eartheater(likely because of similar markings) and tries to do the same with the Serv who stands its ground but still pretty chill. The GT does not touch any other fish. If I had added something else like an Oscar or JD, the GT would have a sparing partner.

 

[Deadeye]

For bottom feeders, I would say a Raphael. Depending on the tank setup, it may come out often. Mine hides in a hollow log and comes out in the evening, but also during feedings.
He is with a leporinus, bp, jd, and Severum and the only guy who messed with him was (the short lived) crayfish.

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

Never kept BP but my Severum is the nicest cichlid I've owned.

Mine too! They are very to themselves, but at the same time are really personable and have great personality!

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

Severums are weird like that, I traded mine because it was one of the meanest I’ve ever owned lol and I have a buttikoferi

Golden Severums are on the peaceful side, if you were to look into peaceful types of Severum.

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

The nice thing about nerite snails is that most fish won't bother with them due to a chemical they produce in their bodies that makes them taste terrible. It's not 100% fool proof but for most fish it seems to work. Also if ya want a more defensive snail I would recommend a horned nerite. Not only to they look BA imo but those spikes on their shells definitely help protect it from curious fish looking for an easy meal.

Thanks! I will look into those types of horned snails!