Best Cichlid cleanup crew?

[Jhefnerjr]

The trumpet snails are a tempting idea but I’ve had snails completely take over a tank before. Turned into kind of a nightmare.

 

[Jhefnerjr]

Besides the extra waste, Geo's would be tough because of the large gravel you have. They need sand or at most small gravel.

Besides the extra waste, Geo's would be tough because of the large gravel you have. They need sand or at most small gravel.

Yeah. That makes sense. I’ve seen them on smaller gravel but I know they are earthmovers and not rock rollers!

 

[SalviniCichlidFan]

I mean the hard part is you need something big or it might be eaten. A red tail shark would be a good idea imo. They eat some algae and are scavengers so they are dual-use for your tank. Plus they look amazing.

 

[Daniel36]

Snails

Agreed, I have them with my flowerhorn and they do an amazing job.

 

[Jhefnerjr]

Yeah. A red tail would be cool. I didn’t realize they ate algea. I’ve had the rainbow shark version many years ago. Kinda mean but the fish were no where near as big as the cichlids. Would one be enough for a 150? If I had multiple I would think they’d fight it out since they are pretty territorial. Yes?

 

[Deadeye]

Yeah. A red tail would be cool. I didn’t realize they ate algea. I’ve had the rainbow shark version many years ago. Kinda mean but the fish were no where near as big as the cichlids. Would one be enough for a 150? If I had multiple I would think they’d fight it out since they are pretty territorial. Yes?

Still the problem of adding another fish.
But I wouldn’t put more than one.

 

[cmsbthebest]

Red Tails graze a bit of algae, but not much.

I personally don't think more than 1 can normally work in a 6 foot tank. My large Rainbow Shark is 6.5 inches and fairly active, if there was another in the tank, there would probably be trouble.

I really think you are maxed out bioload wise already though

One note: If you got the red tail shark route, get a full grown one (5 inch plus). Anything smaller is probably gonna be a snack.

 

[Jhefnerjr]

Yep. After all of the suggestions I think I’ll do a dozen nerite snails. At least they won’t contribute much bio-load and won’t reproduce as badly as trumpet snails. I doubt my peacock will do much to keep them in check. He’s very lazy, always hidden… and pretty much worthless.

I may end up swapping him out for either a fire eel or bichir and put him in my 60 bow front planted tank.

 

[phreeflow]

Crayfish don’t add much bioload and will do a great job cleaning….as long as it doesn’t get chomped on by the oscar

 

[1 2many]

Yep. After all of the suggestions I think I’ll do a dozen nerite snails. At least they won’t contribute much bio-load and won’t reproduce as badly as trumpet snails. I doubt my peacock will do much to keep them in check. He’s very lazy, always hidden… and pretty much worthless.

I may end up swapping him out for either a fire eel or bichir and put him in my 60 bow front planted tank.

Snails are a good cleanup crew I have them in a few of my tanks. The only thing I would say about nerites is watch out for them laying eggs. The eggs don’t hatch in FW, and they remain stuck to whichever surface they were laid on. Only way to remove the eggs is to scrape them off which isn’t bad when it’s on the glass, but when they are all over nice driftwood it can be annoying.
Good luck!