algae eaters
By Trace86
@Trace86 (5030)
United States
July 15, 2008 8:20pm CST
My pleco died last week. I figured that meant that there wasn't enough algae for him and my corys to eat. Now I have 4 corys and lots algae on the rocks of my tank.
I saw these fish last time I went to the store called Chinese Algae Eaters. I need to get something. Should I get 1 or 2 of them or another pleco? Will they get along with other fish? I also have 3 silver tip tetras.
Any advice would be very appreciated!
1 person likes this
4 responses
@oscarbartoni (2581)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I would suggest getting plenty of live aquatic plants to help keep the algae under control. And you can get some otto cats that do not get too large like the Chinese Algae Eaters do and also the DAE get aggressive when they get older and do not eat much algae either. Or you might consider getting a bushymouth pleco to control the algae plus cut down on the light and feeding. If the fish cleans the algae completely then you can feed the algae eating fish with algae wafers or tablets. Another thing that will help to control the algae is to do regular weekly water changes of between 15 and 30% with dechlorinated water of the same temp.
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I would get a real small pleco. I know where we live you can trade them in as they get to big and don't have enough algae in the tank as they can get huge. So I would get a real small one and trade him in ever so often.
2 people like this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I used to won fish tanks inside of my home and we always had algae eaters too. We just had one of them for our tank because it wasn't very big. I think it all depends on the size of your tank, as to how many you will need to keep your tank clean. I have never heard of the Chinese ones. We have an outside fish pond now and we put some fish in there. I'm not sure if an algae eater will live in one outside or not either.
2 people like this
@spongin (71)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Cory cats aren't really algae eaters. I don't recommend getting Chinese algae eaters, I've read they can pose a risk to other fish in the tank by apparently eating the slime coat off them. I've never had them myself, but the frequency in which I've read this really turns me off them. I'd consider Otocinclus or dwarf plecostomus, myself :P
