Algae Eater

[BrookeLea]

My mom has set up a 10 gallon tank with 5 female bettas in it. She called me to tell me all about it and she sounds so excited! She keeps talking about how pretty they are and how they're so happily swimming around the tank. She asked me if she could put an algae eater in the tank. I told her not to get a common plec or a chinese algea eater as those get very large and she only has a 10 gallon tank. Are there any smaller breeds that she would be able to get ahold of and that would live comfortably in a 10 gallon?

 

[troutfly]

As long as the tank has a filter, I say this:
There are a few "dwarf" plecos on the market that get about 5" in length, maybe some oto cats would work also. You could find another small fish breed like a killi fish that is an algae eater to put in there also. I hope this helps.

 

[Fish Buddy]

I would personally recommend the otocinclus sp. but turbo or mysyery snales would work tooo (they are yellow and pritty that way). I have also kept a dwarf pleco but found he did not do that good of a job with the algea.

 

[BrookeLea]

thanks! i know i've seen otos around, but i haven't seen turbo snails or dwarf plecos. it doesn't mean they're not there, i just never really noticed. can my mom find these at her lfs? i've been reading about the turbo snails and i'd like to get some for myself, if i can find them. where do i get them?

 

[Fish Buddy]

Not sure how to answer that... what is the question again?
Turbo snails I usually see at my lfs but I have also seen them at aquarium fish auctions.

 

[Chrissy]

What about an apple snail? They will eat the algae, but they might also munch on any live plants she has.

 

[BrookeLea]

Mom said that she doesn't want apple snails as I told her they may escape the tank if she doesn't keep it well closed off. I don't want the apple snails because I dont' want them to eat my plants. will the turbos eat my plants? I'm going to a fish store tomorrow that I've never been to. Maybe I'll find some turbos there.

 

[rdd1952]

The one I am really intrigued by right now is the American/Florida Flag Fish. From what I have read they are as good as true Siamese AE but only get about 2" long. They are also very pretty. I went in the LFS near me today and they had them in stock for the first time. I would like to get some but they are schooling fish and I really don't have room in my 29 gallon for 4 to 6 more fish. Has anyone had any experience with them?

 

[Fish Buddy]

Flag fish are native to the us and are like a killie. I though they were live bearing fish but am unsure now...

 

[Dwarfs]

Flag fish are native to the us and are like a killie. I though they were live bearing fish but am unsure now...

Flag fish are killies and breed much like dwarf cichlids They can be kept in pairs, my dad and I have 2 in a quarantine and they seem ok