African Cichlids And Otocinclus

[fatheadminnow]

I have some Diatoms/Brown Algae in my tank, and it has been there for months. This tank is probably close to 5+ months old, so I know the algae is not from silicates that are commonly found in new tanks. I believe the algae is from a very slight, undetectable by my API test kit, fluctuation in ammonia. Sometimes weekly water changes may be too much for some tanks and can force the ammonia to fluctuate. I do weekly water changes and I am not going to space the water changes apart anymore than that, but the algae is still there slightly. I found that Otocinclus actually love to eat diatoms/Brown Algae so I want to get a few.

Do you guys think that Otocinclus's will be fine with my African Cichlids?

Thanks!

-FHM

 

[james41683]

I have some Diatoms/Brown Algae in my tank, and it has been there for months. This tank is probably close to 5+ months old, so I know the algae is not from silicates that are commonly found in new tanks. I believe the algae is from a very slight, undetectable by my API test kit, fluctuation in ammonia. Sometimes weekly water changes may be too much for some tanks and can force the ammonia to fluctuate. I do weekly water changes and I am not going to space the water changes apart anymore than that, but the algae is still there slightly. I found that Otocinclus actually love to eat diatoms/Brown Algae so I want to get a few.

Do you guys think that Otocinclus's will be fine with my African Cichlids?

Thanks!

-FHM

i would say no, the cichlids would get big enough to eat a full grown oto.

 

[fatheadminnow]

That is what I was thinking as well...lol.

What other fish would like to eat algae like this and still would get along with my cichlids?

-FHM

 

[dthoffsett]

Don't bristlenose eat brown algae? They're usually the best with mbuna.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yeah they do.

But will they hurt my plants when they start sucking on them?

Thanks for the response!

-FHM

 

[dthoffsett]

Yeah they do.

But will they hurt my plants when they start sucking on them?

Thanks for the response!

-FHM

To my knowledge they won't hurt your plants, you might check the catfish section to make sure.

 

[Cichlid_Crazy]

Otos are to water sensitive to mix with Malawis (and yes they would get eaten!)

 

[Faythee]

My Bristlenose liked to hang on the Amazon plants leaves, but never ate them.

 

[AdAndrews]

I have kept a bn plec in a fully planted head to toe tank, they didnt eat the plants, i have since moved him to my multifascius tank- of which i have scaped' today

 

[fatheadminnow]

I have kept a bn plec in a fully planted head to toe tank, they didnt eat the plants, i have since moved him to my multifascius tank- of which i have scaped' today

Sweet, I will be getting one soon then!

-FHM

 

[AdAndrews]

I have kept a bn plec in a fully planted head to toe tank, they didnt eat the plants, i have since moved him to my multifascius tank- of which i have scaped' today

Sweet, I will be getting one soon then!

-FHM

the only problem is that they poop like a trooper!

 

[Faythee]

Are the Bristlenose okay in a higher ph ? Say a bit over 8.0 ?

I was thinking I had to re-home mine as I am setting up African at the moment.