{"title":"Bottom Dwellers","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"455\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"154\" data-end=\"272\"\u003ePeaceful, hardworking, and full of character — bottom dwellers play a vital role in balanced freshwater aquariums.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"272\" data-end=\"275\"\u003eFrom gentle catfish to fascinating loaches, these species are chosen for their ability to coexist peacefully while adding movement and interest to the lower levels of the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"762\"\u003eOur bottom-dwelling fish are selected for health, temperament, and suitability for community and planted setups. Whether you’re looking to enhance natural behaviour, improve tank dynamics, or add a unique visual element, this collection offers species that thrive alongside shrimp and other peaceful fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"968\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"790\"\u003eWhat you’ll find here:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"790\" data-end=\"793\"\u003e🐟 Corydoras \u0026amp; dwarf catfish\u003cbr data-start=\"821\" data-end=\"824\"\u003e🌿 Shrimp-safe and community-friendly species\u003cbr data-start=\"869\" data-end=\"872\"\u003e✨ Active, characterful bottom dwellers\u003cbr data-start=\"910\" data-end=\"913\"\u003e🌊 Fish suited to planted and natural-style aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"970\" data-end=\"1214\"\u003eEvery fish is carefully acclimated and packed to ensure they arrive healthy and stress-free.\u003cbr data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1065\"\u003eWhether you’re building a harmonious community tank or completing a natural aquascape, this collection brings life and balance to the aquarium floor.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sterby-corydoras","title":"Sterbai Corydoras (Corydoras sterbai)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSterbai Corydoras\u003c\/strong\u003e is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling catfish prized for its distinctive spotted pattern and gentle temperament. With a dark body covered in white spots and striking orange fins, they bring both visual appeal and constant activity to community aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNative to \u003cstrong\u003eBrazil\u003c\/strong\u003e, specifically the upper \u003cstrong\u003eRio Guaporé\u003c\/strong\u003e and surrounding tributaries, Sterbai Corydoras inhabit slow-moving, soft-water rivers with sandy or fine gravel substrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Tank Role:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and social, thriving in \u003cstrong\u003egroups of 6 or more\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent for keeping the substrate clean by scavenging leftover food and debris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompatible with other small, non-aggressive fish and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60L+ recommended for a small school.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22–26°C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–12 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTDS:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100–250 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubstrate should be soft or sandy to protect their delicate barbels. Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants, rocks, or driftwood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOmnivorous bottom-feeders: accept high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, frozen or live foods (bloodworms, daphnia), and blanched vegetables. Feed in moderation and remove uneaten food to maintain water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding Tips:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSterbai Corydoras are egg scatterers. They deposit eggs on smooth surfaces such as plant leaves, glass, or rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep a \u003cstrong\u003especies-only tank\u003c\/strong\u003e for breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition adults with protein-rich foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove adults after spawning to protect eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFry feed on infusoria or finely crushed commercial fry food before transitioning to small pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Choose Sterbai Corydoras?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir peaceful nature, striking appearance, and substrate-cleaning behaviour make them an excellent addition to planted community tanks. They are ideal for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLivestock Disclaimer:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSold as unsexed and in mixed batches. Natural variation in size, colour, and patterning is normal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art's Fish Room","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50599620739368,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0941\/2342\/6088\/files\/YEE01493.jpg?v=1759950083"},{"product_id":"pygmy-corydora","title":"Pygmy corydora","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePygmy Corydora (Corydoras pygmaeus)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a tiny, peaceful South American catfish and an excellent choice for planted and nano community aquariums. Unlike many larger Corydoras that spend most of their time on the substrate, Pygmy Corydoras frequently swim in the middle levels of the aquarium, particularly when kept in a good-sized group.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey have a slender silver-grey body with a distinctive dark horizontal stripe running from the snout towards the tail. Their small size and gentle, active behaviour make them particularly appealing in aquascaped tanks. They are highly social and should be kept in groups of \u003cstrong\u003eat least 6\u003c\/strong\u003e, although groups of 10 or more will generally display more confident and natural shoaling behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mature aquarium with gentle filtration, plenty of plants and areas of open swimming space is ideal. A fine sand substrate is strongly recommended, allowing them to forage naturally without damaging their delicate barbels. As with other Corydoras, they occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, which is completely normal behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum adult size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very peaceful and social; best kept in groups of 6 or more\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty of care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreferred Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22–26 °C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreferred pH of water:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType of breeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Egg layer; females deposit adhesive eggs on plants, glass and other aquarium surfaces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePygmy Corydoras are omnivorous and should be offered a varied diet of appropriately sized sinking foods. Quality micro-pellets and small sinking wafers can form the staple diet, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, cyclops and finely sized bloodworm. They should not be expected to survive solely on leftover food from other fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other small, peaceful species such as small tetras, rasboras and dwarf shrimp. Avoid large, aggressive or highly boisterous fish that may intimidate or prey upon these diminutive catfish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art's Fish Room","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52271275540776,"sku":null,"price":47.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0941\/2342\/6088\/files\/Pygmy_Corydoras_2e9b76ba-d62a-4c93-8e6b-ea0a87dc2d70.jpg?v=1786885812"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.artsfishroom.co.za\/collections\/bottom-dwellers.oembed","provider":"Art's Fish Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}