This lets them more easily rest and move along the bottom. They have a flattened ventral region, which is fancy scientist talk for flat bellies. Flat Ventral RegionĪ lot of bottom feeders have a common body shape. This kind of mouth also helps them stay in place to feed even if they are in fast moving waters. Their mouths are round and look a lot like a suction cup. Some species of bottom feeders have highly specialized mouths, like plecos and oto cats, that let them latch onto surfaces and scrape algae or biofilm. So even if just the outside of the mouth touches something edible, the fish can taste it and find it. Not only are they really sensitive to touch, but they also have tasting cells on them, almost like a tongue. Many bottom feeders have barbels, fleshy whiskers that grow on or near their mouths.
That way, the fish can root around in the substrate for tasty treats but still keep its eyes looking up for predators. I know, weird term, but it refers to where the mouth is located on the body, not it’s quality or performance.Īn inferior mouth is located more towards the bottom of the fish’s body and is usually pointed downwards. They have what’s known as an inferior mouth. Inferior Mouthīottom feeders have evolved specialized traits that help them survive at or near the substrate. Let’s go over the key characteristics of bottom feeders. And some, like pictus catfish, are even predators. Others are herbivores that eat mostly algae and other plant materials. Some are scavengers that normally eat dead fish and invertebrates. Instead of grabbing food from the surface or midwater, bottom feeders find their food along the substrate. Physiology of Bottom Feedersīottom feeders are fish that primarily live and eat…well…at the bottom of the aquarium. In this guide, I’ll take you through the physiology of bottom feeder fish, the best types, and what you should avoid so you don’t end up with a catfish that outweighs your dog. In case you can’t tell, I think they’re awesome and I highly recommend them. Bottom-dwellers can add variety and help maintain a healthier environment in your aquarium.Īdorable oddballs, they can easily be the cornerstone species of a tank. Bottom feeder fish have a special place in my heart and aquariums.
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