Know any good bottom dwellers?

[Myra]

Originally I was going to go with an eel for my 500 gallon (dimensions: 8'x3'x3') and was considering either fire or tiretrack, but someone pointed out to me that eels are mostly slow growers and that they would be lunch for the silver aro before they even reached a good size. So now I'm on the search for something else...current stock list:

1 x silver aro
1 x giant gold gourami
5 x rotkeil sevs
5 x hericthys bocourti
1 x flagtail prochilodus
3 x tinfoil barbs
1 x oxydoras niger

So it'd have to kindly share the neighborhood with the ox. I'm not a big fan of plecs but anything else goes- also, it needs to be a fast grower because if it can't keep up with these guys, it'll be lunch. Ideas anyone?

 

[fishlover88]

There are a couple of fish that come to mind.

Leiarius Marmoratus- Marble Catfish

A. occidentalis- Giraffe Catfish very similar to niger but more color and different personality

B. Jurenese- Similar to a tig but not nearly as expensive

Theres three just off the top of my head

 

[Myra]

I like the marble catfish a whole lot- got any other ideas?

 

[awsomebichir]

endlicheri bichir

 

[ewurm]

I like the marble catfish a whole lot- got any other ideas?

Absolutely a great idea. Also, P. Endlicheri, P. Ornatipinnus, Large Clown loaches

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Id also reccomend a giraffe cat, they have a good growrth rate, are safe with smaller fish and make great characters. Id also recomend a fire or tyre track eel. Get one at a decent size to start with if your worrying about growth rates. I have one around 22" and hes fantastic, has brought me a lot of joy.

 

[fishlover88]

sorry to side track but bruce, is there any particular reason you have a bucket of chicken on your head????

Also bichirs are a good idea as well. definately have to go with a larger sp already at a good size for that tank. Ive always been a fan of ornates

 

[Myra]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions everyone, looking into them all. Someone's also suggested megalodorus irwini- how does that sound? The fire eel is still in the back of my mind, but a giraffe cat and a bichir are also being considered. Regardless of what I get, I'm going to have to look far and wide for a nice large sized specimen...I'd imagine that'd be difficult.. =/

 

[Lizardking]

I suggest some of the larger synodontis species like acanthomias http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=417

or Clarias
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=287

or Ornatipinnis
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=552

 

[Myra]

Its been narrowed to:

megalodoras irwini
synodontis ornatipinnis

Which do you think is the better choice? I'm guessing no room for both, right?