Algae Eater For 10 Gallon Fry Tank?

[Mollygirls]

Hi all,

I just have a quick question.. I have a 10 gallon fry tank and I was wondering what I can get to help control algae? I dont want my fry being eaten and a pleco is out of the question as they get too big and its unfair to them!..

Thanks in advanced..

 

[Littlemonkey]

Why not try otto's or Apple snails.

 

[Mollygirls]

I dont know if I can get apple snails at the LFS here.. I have never seen them however I have never really looked. I have a snail problem as it is right now in my 55 gallon..LOL

However the otto sounds promising.. I am going to assume that it is a type of catfish? Do I need more then 1 or are they okay on thier own?

thanks

 

[rhstranger]

Hi Mollygirls. I'm just outside of Toronto, and got an apple snail at the local Paulmacs. They have them labelled as Golden Mystery Snails, but from reading info here, I think that they are one and the same. They are not cheap there though.
$4 CAD. I only needed one for a 5 Gal. A tip: I have brown algae, the apple snail doesn't really help all that much with it. Ottos or a magnetic scraper are probably your best bets.

 

[kizno1]

a apple snail. you can get them of hear and ebay for a couple of pound.

 

[Mollygirls]

Hi Mollygirls. I'm just outside of Toronto, and got an apple snail at the local Paulmacs. They have them labelled as Golden Mystery Snails, but from reading info here, I think that they are one and the same. They are not cheap there though.
$4 CAD. I only needed one for a 5 Gal. A tip: I have brown algae, the apple snail doesn't really help all that much with it. Ottos or a magnetic scraper are probably your best bets.

Ahh okay so I have seen the apple snails then.. Perhaps the Golden Mystery snail is a Canadian thing..LOL.. I am about an hour outside Toronto.

I did end up buying myself (and fry..lol) an otto. He/she is really tiny right now about 1/2 inch. but he seems to be eating his heart out.. and trust me there is alot for him to eat right now.. ugh.. I really think I better help him out a bit tomorrow during our tank changes..

Thanks for the info

 

[hensonc4098]

He'll only stay about 1/2-1" big so you aren't in any danger of him outgrowing your tank

 

[coldcazzie]

Yeh otos are tiny - he might need a friend or 2!

 

[kizno1]

ottos need to be kept in groups so i would get atleast 2 more.

 

[Mollygirls]

I asked the LFS guy if he should have a couple friends in there and he said he should be fine on his own.. I bet that LFS guy is single.. ugh.. I will go get my little otto a couple friends today.. I always get worried that all types of fish should at least have a buddy to hang out with in the tank.. he is a cute little thing.. My kids really like him alot so they will be happy that I am "adopting" (buying) more.. LOL

Thanks again

 

[OldMan47]

I have kept ottos as singles and they did fine. For a small tank like that, one or two is all that you will be able to feed. They do not take to prepared food very well. In 2 or 3 weeks, you will have a very fat little otocinclus and some nice looking glass. Mine have often grown to about 2 inches long so I don't know where the 1 inch came from but it might be a different species. There are quite a large number sold under the name of otocinclus.

 

[Mollygirls]

I did end up buying 2 more as I believe it was said above that they are best in groups of 3 or more.. However if 10 gallons isnt going to be enough food for them then I will go buy another one and put 2 of them in the other tank I have downstairs and leave the 2 in the fry tank upstairs.. Hubby and I were looking at a 44 gallon today at the lfs as a fry tank. So perhaps given some time we will have enough room for all 4 otto's in the same tank and lots of growing room for the fry..

Thanks for all the insight