does anyone have any reccommendations for an inexpensive catfish that would do a good job as a cleaner?? apart from bristle noses??

corydoras

deffinatly coorydoras

Redspot, common pleco.

I think we need a bit more info for a good suggestion.

I would only recommend Redspot, or common plecos if you have a large tank, as these can get huge (ie well over a foot long). Cory's would be good as they stay quite small.

Can you give us some info on your set-up? (ie tank size)

Cheers, CatBrat.

it would be easier for us to give you a accurate answer if you gave us some stats on tanks etc

What do you mean by cleaner - algae eater or just general scavenger? Also what size tank and other inhabitants so we can give a suitable recommendation.

malawi 1.2m tank and scavenger.

so they would need to be able to cope with quite basic water and stick up for themselves

Malawis aren't "quite basic water" fish

they have a more alkaline water than 'normal' fish have.

So keep that in the equation.

Alan

The term basic also gets used to mean alkaline - it's not implying simple or ordinary.

For that size and style of tank I personally would be considering either some type of synodontis, a couple of hoplos or perhaps chocolate stripe cats (though these often very nocturnal).

can you give me prices???

www.worldofwater.co.nz this has the averge price of fish around here. I said basic as meaning alkaline.

Baby Feather-fin Syno's (Synodontis Eupterus) sell for around $10-15 each (usally sold as Upside-down Catfish) and are quite common. They seem to be quite hardy and adaptable to water conditions.

Cheers, CatBrat.

Fin, if ya call alkaline water Basic

Then wot do ya call acidic water then?

Alan

Fin, if ya call alkaline water Basic

Then wot do ya call acidic water then?

Alan

just acidic, didn't you ever learn about acids and bases?

Nope

Alan

Obviously someone failed chemistry in school.

who went to school to do chemistry :lol:

keep to the topic!!

That wasn't hard to do,

fail that is

Alan