Cleanup Crew for Aggressive Central American Tank

[A201]

I'm careful not to overfeed my fish, but despite my best efforts some food manages to settle to the bottom often times in between and under rock piles and DW.
My solution to the clean up situation was to stock a grouping of Y. Modesta Loaches (Red Fins). They can reach into every nook and cranny in the tank. Modestas are big thick Botias, with sharp eyeblades. Very active and fun to watch. No fish bother them. Modestas might be a good fit for your situation.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

I suspect that the answer is "no," but is there a cleanup crew that will work in a very aggressive tank?

I am planning a couple of different tanks but for right now I have a small group of juvenile Red Terrors, a jewel cichlid and a red Texas cichlid in a grow out tank. I will be adding a jewel cichlid and selling all but one or two of the M. festae. Eventually the jewels will probably have their own tank. I know the jewels are African riverine, but they are so mean that they easily hold their own and they take the same water conditions so I am considering them honorary CA cichlids.

Is there anything that can live with these critters to do algae / biofilm patrol and vacuum the bottom without getting butchered?

I was thinking of a large Panaque plecostemus such as L001 (spotted sailfin pleco, P. joselimanus) or L330 (spotted royal / watermelon pleco, P. nigrolineatus) since they eat algae and biofilm along with wood and veggies. Also perhaps some species of Pictus catfish to keep the sand sparkly.

Pipe dream?

Eclipse catfish work well, and kinda aggressive themselves so should hold their own, I would grow it to at least 41/2 5 inches before adding

 

[WOLF2013]

Synodontis catfish are tough as nails.
Armored catfish like rapheals and irwini are a perfect candidate.