Best Bottom-Dwelling Fish

Our top picks for catfish and loaches that work the substrate.

Looking for catfish and loaches that work the substrate? Here are the top picks from our species database, with adult size, minimum tank, and temperament. Tap any fish for its full care guide, then plan your tank with the stocking calculator.

• Black Skirt Tetra (2.5", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Bristlenose Pleco (5.0", 25g min, Peaceful)
• Bristlenose Pleco (Albino) (5.0", 25g min, Peaceful)
• Bronze Cory (2.8", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Clown Loach (12.0", 75g min, Peaceful)
• Clown Pleco (3.5", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Corydoras Catfish (2.5", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Hillstream Loach (2.5", 30g min, Peaceful)
• Kuhli Loach (4.0", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Kuhli Loach (4.0", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Otocinclus (2.0", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Panda Cory (2.0", 20g min, Peaceful)
• Pictus Catfish (5.0", 55g min, Peaceful)
• Pygmy Cory (1.0", 10g min, Peaceful)
• Yoyo Loach (5.0", 40g min, Semi-aggressive)

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