monster clean up fish?

[marvinbaker]

i've got in my tank a bunch of polys (3 senegals, 2 dels, 2 endli's, 1 congicus, 1 ornate) , black arowana, a few cichlids, channa auranti and a mbu. a lot of monsters but all pretty peaceful contrary to some beliefs. all very messy eaters. current clean up crew are a distodochus sexfasciatus and a colombian prochidillus (has a yellow and black tail instead of the usual orangey red colour) and they're ok but not great at cleaning meaty foods like market shrimp which most of my fish love. I'm growing on 5 thinbar dats, 5 monster clown loaches, some fancy L number plecs and 2 irwini in another tank but they get on so well i might just upgrade their tank as they grow so not looking to move them in.

what i need is something to tidy up after my messy guys and gals and am up for any recommendations, what do u think guys? tank is 7' by 2.5' x 2.5'.

 

[santoury]

I am surprised the Bichirs and Cichlids don't pick up what's leftover.

Try a hardy catfish - You need to be specific about what you want regarding size. I would recommend a catfish because many of the meateating cats eat a lot, BUT most get very large.

For instance, the first fish that comes to mind is a Channel Cat - BUT remember that ANY new "monster" is likely to simply join in the feeding frenzy, and as a result, be full, and not inclined to clean up.

If this is an issue, then you are over feeding your tank.

If you want something that will just pick up tiny little bits, then try a Leporinus, but they are very likely to become aggressive chasing and nipping your other fish.
A common pleco does the trick as well.

But again - this should not be a problem - reduce your feeding to several chunks at a time, until everyone is fed.

 

[sandtiger]

I
Try a hardy catfish - You need to be specific about what you want regarding size. I would recommend a catfish because many of the meateating cats eat a lot, BUT most get very large.

For instance, the first fish that comes to mind is a Channel Cat - BUT remember that ANY new "monster" is likely to simply join in the feeding frenzy, and as a result, be full, and not inclined to clean up.

Skip a channel catfish, they grow much too large. A bullhead catfish would be a much better alternative. They grow up to about 12-20" (species depending) and IME are excellent at searching over the gravel for leftovers.

 

[marvinbaker]

like the idea of the bullhead but they're quite hard to get hold of in the uk i think. would they be ok with polys do u think?

 

[santoury]

Once again, any of these "big cats" will simply go up and feed with the other fish and eat their fill.

 

[AtomixIGN]

How about something in the carp family?