Shrimp safe suggestions

[Landon]

I recently set up a 29 gallon planted tank. Im looking for a bottom/lower stratum fish to add to the mix. I dont have anything to speak of yet, so Im open to all suggestions.

Other fish Im considering:
cardinal or neon tetras
rummy nose tetras
marbeled or silver hatchet fish

Id like something that can co-exist with these, and that would preferably not consume CRS. Something that would do snail control would be even better, as Im allready seeing quite a few that must have snuck in on the plants. Im aware of the benefits of not mixing shrimp and fish, but this is in an office, and Id really like the display to be as lively as possible, and the shrimp really add another dimension that most people arent familiar with.

I allready have 4 CRS, but understand that any fish could possibly wipe them out upon introduction.

Thanks for any reccomendations!

BTW, The plan is to have smaller more docile fish, so fish that fit that bill, will be considered much quicker

[Natty]

You should also try putting this on the shrimp side of the forum. Anyway try this link.

CLICK HERE. YOU KNOW YOU WANNA!

Also try the search option, too. This question has been brought up A LOT, so if you use the search option I'm sure you will be able to find the answers you've been seeking for a lot sooner and you don't have to wait around.

Whatever you choose, good luck!

[Landon]

Thanks for the link Natty. I actually allready found that thread while using the search function

There is tons of good info and fish reccomendations in that thread (and many others I ran across), but none seem to reccomend any bottom fish. The closest thing I have found are otos (not even a bottom fish) and cories. No one specifies which species of cory though, and I know there are some that would be happy with eating shrimp on a regular basis

[Natty]

Originally Posted by Landon

Thanks for the link Natty. I actually allready found that thread while using the search function

There is tons of good info and fish reccomendations in that thread (and many others I ran across), but none seem to reccomend any bottom fish. The closest thing I have found are otos (not even a bottom fish) and cories. No one specifies which species of cory though, and I know there are some that would be happy with eating shrimp on a regular basis

I have had lots of success with keeping plecos with shrimps too. Are there any specific bottom feeders you're interested in? Name some off and we'll try to assist you as best as we can.

[customdrumfinishes]

i have had plecos with shrimp with no problems. you can get pigmy corys, there so small and dont bother shrimp either. also have a farlowellat hat wont get shrimp.
i have a 29g with 40 ember tetras with 7 shrimp and they dont attach or nip at the shrimp. even threw some 1/2" shrimp in there and they have grown fine.

all fish are going to eat juvis, if you have alot of plants some juvis will live.

[fishboy87]

I'd also go with pygmy cories as they are bottom dwelling fish that are probably not big enough to harm shrimp. Any way, they are pretty peaceful fish in general. Green cories are also an option but they get to about 3" and I dont no if youd like something bigger than 1"

[Landon]

Originally Posted by Natty

I have had lots of success with keeping plecos with shrimps too. Are there any specific bottom feeders you're interested in? Name some off and we'll try to assist you as best as we can.

Plecos are cool. Ive got lots of wood in the tank for them to rasp on as well. Ill look into some smaller variations, as Id like to keep the scale of the fish inline with the other small ones I like.

As far as what I like....I like interesting I lke loaches, cories, gobies, apistos, and really any nice looking small fish. Ive ruled out most of what I like based on the 'size of mouth' rule, so am just hoping to hear about what some others think.

Originally Posted by customdrumfinishes

i have had plecos with shrimp with no problems. you can get pigmy corys, there so small and dont bother shrimp either. also have a farlowellat hat wont get shrimp.
i have a 29g with 40 ember tetras with 7 shrimp and they dont attach or nip at the shrimp. even threw some 1/2" shrimp in there and they have grown fine.

all fish are going to eat juvis, if you have alot of plants some juvis will live.

I realize Ill be loosing most if not all of any newborn shrimp. Im hoping to be able to keep a few adults for display purposes though. I do have some java, and other decent breeding spots in the tank, so it is a possibility that I may get a survivor here and there, but Im not trying to start a breeeding program.

Thanks for the heads up on the pygmy cories. Ill see if my LFS can get ahold of some for me. Ive been looking for them at the LHS and petsmart for a while though with no luck. Maybe they are availalbe, just not stocked

Originally Posted by fishboy87

I'd also go with pygmy cories as they are bottom dwelling fish that are probably not big enough to harm shrimp. Any way, they are pretty peaceful fish in general. Green cories are also an option but they get to about 3" and I dont no if youd like something bigger than 1"

I dont really like the larger cories, and think it would throw off the scale of the other fish in the tank. Im definitly looking into the pygmies though, as Ive always liked cories, and think they would be a good addition to the current fish list. I also dig their little personailites and think they could quickly become the office favorite

[sadielmorris]

In my limited experience, so long as your tank is HEAVILY planted, shrimp and fish can co-exist.

In our 75 gallon our cherry shrimp population is out of control. And we have a whole list of shrimp-unfriendly fish. I think as long as you have thick stands of vegetation that fish will have difficulty swimming through, the shrimp can take refuge and breed in there.

That being said, we did get some pinochio shrimp who alledgedly like to swim around mid-water, I haven't seen one in a while, i'm assuming they were lunch. And I'm sure the fish snack on a few of the baby shrimp, but it hasn't been enough to put a dent in the population.

My favourite bottom-dweller has to be my albino male bristlenose Pleco. His non-albino girlfriend is nice too, but in a less flashy way. They've definitly helped fighting algea as well.