3 Rasbora Het, 1 Algae eater, 2 dwarf puffers

[somethingfishy]

I have a ten gallon tank with two female bettas in hangy thingies on the side of the tank, 3 rasbora het (harlequin), 1 algae eater, and 2 dwarf puffers. My algae eater is fully grown, and has been known to attack other fish. Is it possible that the algae eater would attack my puffers? If so, my LFS offered to take him and give me a smaller one is return. Would this be a good idea? Should I just keep the one I have? Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

what type of algae eater is it.

 

[sylvia]

If it's been known to attack other fish I'm guessing chinese? Why don't you get a bristlenose plec instead. They are great algae eaters, don't get too big and can withstand aggression whilst still being very peaceful themselves. They make excellent community fish and their unusual appearance would fit right in.

edit: I completely missed tht first part - forget the bristlenose 10 gallons is too small. Otos are better.

As for the bettas (read post below), female bettas don't fight like the males do but you shouldn't keep them together in groups less than 4. The less dominant fish gets picked on a lot more if you only keep 2.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

You don't need the females in the "Betta Barracks." They usually don't fight among themselves.

 

[somethingfishy]

i have them in the things hanging on the side so the puffers do not nip their fins. the algae eater is chinese and is about 4 inches long. also the female bettas have been together for 1/2 a year and are like sisters- they never pick on each other (in fact, they could be sisters..hmm..)
thanks for the posts everyone!

So should i leave him (algae eater) in or take him out?

 

[newfishies]

if you know that he's attacking others, i'd definitely take him out...

 

[sylvia]

Either way - I'd take him out - 10" fish that eat other fish are not good for communities.

You do realise how badly named these fish are right? They aren't even chinese and they aren't algae eaters. Deffinately replace him with something more suitable - as I said earlier, otos are great for small tanks.

 

[MXPX4318]

yep I agree get rid of the chinese algea eater and go with a trio of otos instead, you'll be much happier (better algea eaters) and the other fish will be much happier (no more aggressive fish) it's a win win situation if you get rid of the chinese and go with otos instead.

 

[Erised]

Either way - I'd take him out - 10" fish that eat other fish are not good for communities.

You do realise how badly named these fish are right? They aren't even chinese and they aren't algae eaters. Deffinately replace him with something more suitable - as I said earlier, otos are great for small tanks.

I know this is fighting a fight that cant be won by the side I'm on because there's so much bad about them already, but hey =)
I honestly do not believe they're as bad as people say they are. Personally I have 6 of them, only 1 of them has turned 'bad' the other 5 havent. Also, they DO eat algae when they're young, I've never had any algae problems and when it started to come up they'd get rid of it. When getting older, they still eat algae but just less. Mine Love cucumber =) Also those that do attack other fish are known to (just like all (repeat the All again) other suckermouths can do) attack flat boddied fish, and you dont get much less flat bodied than a puffer.

I'm not saying you should keep him, seeing as there is a risk, and I do think the tank is too small for his/her adult size. All I'm trying to say is that they're really not all that bad, and there Are people around who have positive experiences with them as well. And please do not forgot its not only the chinese algae eater that can start feeding on slime coating, its all suckermouths, its just a risk you take, that with CAEs is a bit bigger

End Rant! Once again, not trying to cause arguements here, not making a fight of it, just giving my opinion =)

--Edit--

Sylvia, please do not see this as an attack on you, I only quoted you because of the 'non algae eating part' I didnt agree on! You're one of the members I respect most on this forum, so wouldnt want you to get upset because of this

 

[sylvia]

No I won't take offense because you are correct - they do eat algae whilst young. I just don't consider them algae-eaters like you might do an oto or bristlenose plec.

You are also correct about the risk involved with slime-coat sucking - even otos have been known to do this.

However, I have kept chinese algae eaters of a reasonable size (5") and they did not stop at sucking on a slime coat - they also removed eyes and ate guppies, neons and certain other small fish. It may just be my bad experienses with these that make me biased - I just don't think they are worth the risk.

On the other hand, I do think they are attractive fish and very active (even if they are evil ) - if I ever have a large spare tank, I'd like to keep a species tank of these. It might be a very interesting experience I wander if they are often bred in captivity?... hmm... I'll go research I think