The clean-up crew and bottom-dwellers
Catfish & bottom-dwellers
Corydoras, plecos, otocinclus and loaches work the bottom of the tank — endearing, useful, and often mis-sold. They still need their own food (a "cleaner fish" is a myth) and the right substrate to protect their barbels.
4 species on Finfern · 4 with a full care guide.
💧 Get the water right: Smooth sand or rounded gravel protects delicate barbels; sharp gravel injures them.Care model: Tropical community tank
- Corydoras CatfishCorydoras spp.The endearing armoured bottom catfish that works in cheerful groups — a community-tank staple.
- Bristlenose PlecoAncistrus cirrhosusThe manageable, algae-grazing pleco that stays a sensible size — unlike the common pleco.
- OtocinclusOtocinclus spp.The tiny, peaceful algae-eating catfish — wonderful, but only for a mature, algae-rich tank.
- Kuhli LoachPangio kuhliiThe little eel-like loach that hides by day and pops out at night — a peaceful, quirky bottom-dweller.
Plan a catfish & bottom-dwellers tank
Our free tools use these species' real, sourced care data — no guessing:
Stocking calculator →Compatibility checker →Which fish suit your water? →