Good bottom feeders compatible with mbunas?

[PEANUTBUTTER]

So far i have
6 auratus
4 yellow labs
5 maingano/johanni (cant really tell)
2 cobalt blue
1 mystery
4 yellow tail acei
All in my 220

I plan on much more but this is all that walmart had lmao ( i know o shouldnt get fish from there but i feel bad cause theyll all end up dead in some childs bowl or housed in wrong conditions plus 32 cents a piece is a good deal lol) but once they keep getting the same stuff ill have to go to a real petstore to get some of my other more desired ones like demasoni and socolofi etc


I want something thatll stir up the sand to move all the waste up to the overflow.

Maybe clown loach or
Cuckoo catfish ?

Ideas?

 

[james99]

Synodontis catfish are best, but the cichlids will stir up the sand alot too.

 

[PEANUTBUTTER]

Synodontis catfish are best, but the cichlids will stir up the sand alot too.

I was thinking of the featherfin but in my experience they never moved lol just a nice decoration

 

[duanes]

I agree with Synodontis, they are geographically correct, and have evolved together with those cichlids.

 

[james99]

I was thinking of the featherfin but in my experience they never moved lol just a nice decoration

multipunctatus and petricola are normally out and about if you have a group of them.

 

[DJRansome]

Agree with Synodontis lucipinnis or multipunctatus. Use circulation to keep debris in water column...not fish.

 

[Max L]

I’m agreeing with everyone here on the Synodontis lucipinnis, but you could also do plecos. I have one in my African mbuna tank and he does fine.
You had mentioned looking for more than Walmart had to offer, look for the Afra Cobue, Jalo Reef or Maison Reef in other stores, you won’t find them at Walmart but you could snag one at a fish store or online.

 

[markstrimaran]

I have 3 synod cats, they spend all day, under the rocks.

 

[RD.]

I haven't seen fish sold in Walmart, in Canada, in many years. Where in Canada are you located? And I agree with others, a group of Synodontis lucipinnis or multipunctatus will work (6-8, or more) but they won't kick up a lot of debris if that's what their main purpose is supposed to be. You can add underwater pumps/jets to move water & debris towards your filter intakes.

 

[Wharf]

I am very fond of true Synodontis Polli, not the little white ones...however they are nice too. I like the true Petricola too