What type of Invertebrate is right for my tank?

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attackfish21

attackfish21

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 13, 2009
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Seattle, Wa
Hello, I have never had shrimp or other types of invertebrates in any of my tanks before. I am looking for a "tank-cleaner" that will NOT try to eat my live fish as well. I have been hearing that a lot of ghost shrimp would be good for my tank, but I know that my Oscar will eat them for dinner.

I have a strong filter for my tank, and also use a syphon to clean the tank out every week or so, but would like to use shrimp or possibly freshwater crabs to clean the excess "waste" on the bottom.

Do invertebrates even eat the "waste"? or am I going on a wild goose chase?

If they do, then does any one know of a good freshwater species that would not try and eat my existing fish?

My tank is a 60gal that has baby fish such as a BGK, Oscar, two African Brown knives, one feather fin catfish, and one medium sized pleco.
(yes I know the tank is too small for the fish when they grow up, this is just the tank I am letting them partially grow up in before moving them up to the 125 or larger tank I am buying within the next year.)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! thank you. :D
 
I forgot to mention the Senegal Polypterus that I also have in the tank. (babysitting for a friend) :)
 
What waste are you talking about exactly? coz if your talking about fish waste then sorry but your going to be hard pressed trying to to find any thing to take care of that except your trusty syphon...

But based on your current stock, i don't think many (if any) shrimp would survive long in your tank, maybe you could try stocking certain snails in your tank depending on if its planted or not to help with algae... but FYI, snails and shrimps can and produce a fair bit of waste too...
 
i cannot think of anything that would work with your stocking. Most snails require a specific calcium rich diet as well, they are not very efficient at "cleaning"
 
Definetely a wild goose hunt. Small invertebrates would only help with left over food and algae, not fish waste. A load of ghost shrimp would just be eaten. Snails will help with some left over food and algae but you're looking to cut down on fish waste though. No short cut there
 
Get a few big crayfish. They can protect themselves and eat any leftovers, and also constantly sift through the gravel in search of more food.
 
ballinouttacntrol;3712348; said:
Definetely a wild goose hunt. Small invertebrates would only help with left over food and algae, not fish waste. A load of ghost shrimp would just be eaten. Snails will help with some left over food and algae but you're looking to cut down on fish waste though. No short cut there
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LOL. thanks for letting me know. thats why I asked. I just am hardpressed for time to do the syphoning, but will just keep on my routine. Thanks for all the info!! I figure there was no harm in asking so I knew for sure. thanks again :)
 
crays might take a snap at your fish though, especially if the fish are small
 
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