Algae Eaters

[Nick16]

i have a small 40l tank, and i want something that will really munch away at algae. i was thinking ottos but they arent that great and are not hardy. apart from SAE that get to big and BN's which i think get too big for my tank what else is there. i dont want snails (well 1 apple snail will be ok)

 

[aaronnorth]

i know you said you dont want snails but Nerite's are excellent algae eaters.

 

[Nick16]

but i bet they breed soo fast! and in a small 40l tank i will become over run.

 

[aaronnorth]

nerite young cannot survive in freshwater

 

[Nick16]

really? so i will never be over run? wow thats a defo then becuase i hate having loads of snails but this might work, thats why i only want one apple snail! where can you get them?

 

[Syphoniera]

Hi, Nick16,
Nerites are great snails, just wanted to mention that they do chronically lay tiny, single, infertile eggs glued on, apparently with natural cement, lol, all over tank surfaces, so it this bothers you, you might want to take this into consideration.
Personally, I think they're worth it, most of the time, anyway.

Edit: I am the Typo Queen...

 

[drobbyb]

Ramshorn snails will eat algae (at least mine do). If you put more than 1 in a tank, they will make more As long as you only have 1 you have nothing to worry about.

Apple snails will eat algae to an extent and they are the same as ramshorns as far as keeping just 1. It should also be said that apple snails lay their eggs above the water line. If you keep your tanks full and leave no space, then you have no eggs.

 

[three-fingers]

Nerites are excellent at eating algae off the glass. Mine do lay eggs, but not very often, and I think my loaches at the eggs because they dissapear quite fast.

I wouldn't recommend getting too many of them, since it's only a 40l tank and they are quite hard to feed wafers and lettuce. Start with one or two and if the algae isn't under control after a month or two you can get another.

About ramshorn snails:

As long as you only have 1 you have nothing to worry about.

Aha, not if it's already bred . I've made that mistake before and ended up with hundreds of them .

 

[Nick16]

where can i get a ouple of nerites? what colours do they come in if any?

 

[Essjay]

There's some info on nerite snails here

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=179369

The ones called racing stripe are also called ruby or red onion nerites. I've seen them on ebay and snailshop, though I'm lucky that a local shop sells them. They get to about an inch across. The bumble bee ones are a lot smaller, mine are only half an inch across and I got them from Maidenhead Aquatics. I have the larger ones in my 125 litre and the bumble bee ones in my smaller tanks, and they do a wonderful job of eating algae.

One important thing to remember though is that they are very sensitive to medication. If you need to treat a tank, take them out first, and make sure it's all removed before putting them back.

 

[Nick16]

cool, thanks, i just have to track some down!

 

[Syphoniera]

I have Zebras - really cool-looking.
I really like them, but do keep an eye on them, as if they ever fall and land upside down, they'll be unable to right themselves and will need rescue.

 

[Rlon35]

i know you said you dont want snails but Nerite's are excellent algae eaters. ^^^^^^^^^^

Hey, Aaron, I am interested in Nerites, but I have soft/acidic water. can you keep them by adding supplements (calcium) that won't harden the water too much for my fish species? On that same token, can you do the same with amano and cherry shrimp?

 

[Inchworm]

I've had success in keeping snails looking good by adding a piece of cuttlebone (from the bird department) to the tank. It's inexpensive and lasts a long time.

 

[barker_23]

Sorry to sound thick but do the snails eat the cuttlebone?