Native bottom feeder/clean up crew/algae eater

[bjbass]

I have a 210 gallon tank with a sump/dual overflows. My filtration is pretty decent and I do a 50% water change weekly. I have bluegills/pumpkinseed/crappies and the tank stays relatively clean. I also have a brown bullhead. He helps to stir up the bottom, but doesn't seem to do the best job. I have sand as substrate.

I was wondering what species of native fish can be used to stir up the sand and get any trapped waste into the overflows/filtration?

I have read a little about stone rollers. Perhaps they are a species that will.

Does anybody stock any non-native species with their fish to obtain this? A pleco perhaps? I was thinking about going this route, but I think they only eat algae and wouldn't stir the bottom.

 

[MegaHands]

i want Freshwater Crab!

 

[wantokeeptrout]

If you can find small ones northern hognose suckers might work. i see them everywhere in rivers but you will eventually need a big tank. They push up to a foot and are constantly foraging off the bottom like loaches

 

[Owain4]

I have a 6" white sucker that does a fantastic job of cleaning the sand at the bottom of my tank. He is always filtering sand and sticking his head in those hard to get spots, quite funny to watch aswell.

 

[notnew2dis]

Well, they are not "exactly" native, but here in Miami I catch a lot of Brown Hoplos. They are the best thing for keeping the bottom clean, and they don't get bigger than 7". These are little armored cats from S. America, that exist all over S. Florida.
I always keep a couple in the tank, and they eat everything. Plus, since they are free, even better!

 

[bjbass]

I have a 6" white sucker that does a fantastic job of cleaning the sand at the bottom of my tank. He is always filtering sand and sticking his head in those hard to get spots, quite funny to watch aswell.

Thanks for all of the replies!!!

I know we have Hognose here in PA. Maybe I will check them out as I have caught them.

This white sucker sounds great. I know we have them in PA, but I will have to see where I can catch them. They sound like the ticket!

 

[MN_Rebel]

Just how big is brown bullhead? Getting young white suckers are always good idea as they can adapt in captivity easily than adult suckers. However if your bullhead is a mature sized one, he might snack on young white suckers. I had once a 13" bullhead ate a 8" white sucker. But if its a young bullhead, you shouldn't have any problems but be expecting any new fish with nipped fins.

 

[Owain4]

Yeah with 2 native bottom dwellors you will probably have a bit of problems, there is a quite a few native species that will do a great job like white suckers. Any of the other bottom dwellors usually clean up very well. I know one member here has a few carp for clean up. They aren't true natives but they do a mighty fine cleaning job but they dont solely eat bottom materials. Hognose suckers, white suckers, red horses. will all do a very nice job. I've caught 5" redhorses with blood red fins.

 

[wantokeeptrout]

If you can find small ones northern hognose suckers might work. i see them everywhere in rivers but you will eventually need a big tank. They push up to a foot and are constantly foraging off the bottom like loaches

sorry, i thought it said 20 gallons. A small group of suckers around the size of your bullhead should be a great bottom crew

 

[bjbass]

Just how big is brown bullhead? Getting young white suckers are always good idea as they can adapt in captivity easily than adult suckers. However if your bullhead is a mature sized one, he might snack on young white suckers. I had once a 13" bullhead ate a 8" white sucker. But if its a young bullhead, you shouldn't have any problems but be expecting any new fish with nipped fins.

My bullhead is about 14-15". You are right. I guess I would need a decent sized sucker!