Need a new bottom feeder!

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Sirtrashcan

Exodon
MFK Member
Dec 16, 2021
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Lost my Emerald Cory cat last night, lived to the ripe old age of 5 years old and was THE original fish I bought for my college tank. He moved with me probably 8 times and went through quite a few tear downs and set ups and an upgrade or two. Im asking for some suggestions on a good (large) bottom feeder that can stay out of the mouths of 2 gars. Currently I have a 75G but will obviously be upgrading as the gars outgrow the tank so whatever I get can move with them as needed. Preferably something that won't try to swallow the gars as well, seeing as they are the fish I've dreamed of owning for years.

I appreciate all suggestions!
 
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What species of gar? Knowing that would make recommendations much easier.
 
Fishman Dave Fishman Dave
thebiggerthebetter thebiggerthebetter
 
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If a 3" emerald cory worked for you, you can consider hoplo catfish, they are bigger but the mode of feeding and behavior are similar.
 
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That does sound like a good option! The only thing I'm worried about is that my bigger gar seems to have gained confidence in the fish he can try to eat. I've watched him size up a pleco and try to take its fins off. Do you think it would be better to get something that can pace the growth of a Long nose gar? in the 3 months ive had the one, he has more than doubled in size

and like I mentioned in the original post, I am not worried about upgrading tank sizes. Im already putting together materials for a 300G stock tub until a pond can be dug.
 
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What you describe is the gar nature IME - they test-bite a lot of stuff. They tend to learn along the way too, not ideally but they learn what they can't take down and mostly let it be.

What's your purpose? Diversity or clean up?

You can consider the usual bottom cleaner catfish such as PImelodus pictus, Pimelodus blochii, bullheads, sun cat - any opportunistic type of catfish, not a predator and not a preferential herbivore.

Gar will grow quickly first but after reaching a few feet will slow down. It is likely impossible to find a catfish match that would serve your prupose and grow as you want, so that it is not eaten and doesn't eat the gar.
 
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thebiggerthebetter said:
What's your purpose? Diversity or clean up?
Click to expand...
While I am a fan of diversity, I am mostly looking for good cleanup. Also, not necessarily needing to stick to a catfish, just wasn't sure where else to drop this thread. I do know several places nearby that I could get a pictus easily enough.

May be a bit over my head and someone with the experience can tell me, but Megaladoras cats interest me.
 
Out of personal interest- would a TSN or RTCxTSN be a bad idea in this tank? Just trying to gather all of my options to see what will actually fit the best in my current set up and what fish I'll have to put on my bucket list to keep.
 
Red tail, shovelnose, hybrids, all risky. The gars may be too long for them to swallow whole, but they fit girthwise, meaning they can easily be killed by those catfish attempting to swallow them.

Based on everything you said, you might consider Hypostomus laplatae. Gets to a similar size to the gars, won't eat them, and is a very robust armored species.
 
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