Algea eaters

[bunjiweb]

No, Clown Plecos are VERY bad algae eaters if you keep them singly. They wont attempt it at all!

Either get a group of 3, defeating the object of getting a small plec, or get a bristlenose (most stay 5") or as mentioned earlier, a rubbernosed (sometimes called bulldog) pleco. Either of these are MUCH better and can be kept singly.

Ben

 

[Torrean]

thank you bunji I didn't think clowns ate algae

 

[bunjiweb]

Im glad you knew, its a shame some people will give advice that isnt correct.

Clown Plecos are nice plecs, but..

- They need a regular wood source
- They should deffinately be in groups, they are one of the most socially active plecs commonly available
- They dont consider algae a main food source, they get their nutrients from munching away on wood!

Ben

 

[Welsh_Woman]

damn, i thought all plecs liked algea

I found a list that said plecs and such, so I got all the ones i could aford off the list, so can anyone tell me which are good algae eaters and how big they grow?

ANCISTRUS SP.
ANCISTRUS SP. GOLD
CLOWN PLECO (MACCUS)
FARLOWELLA
HYPOSTOMUS SP.(COLUMBIA )
LEOPARD PLEC
CHAETOSTOMA SP
OTOCINCLUS SP
RED SAIL FIN PLEC.
RED SAIL FIN PLEC.
WHIPTAILS

 

[sylvia]

The ancistrus are bristlenoses and get to 6" max depending on the exact species and are excellent algae eaters though they get a bit lazy as they get older . Farlowella are good algae eaters too but can get to 8". Usualy 6" is more likely. Whiptails are basically the same. The sailfins will eat algae but grow very large (up to 18" potentialy). Otoncinclus get to 2", like to be in groups and are great algae eaters but they can be fragile. They aren't realy plecs. Hypostomus species will eat algae but grow to at least 12" depending on the exact one (not sure what the 'colombia' one is but should be some kind of sailfin or common). Clowns, as you've been told, aren't good algae eaters. Leopards will eat algae but can get to 16", sometimes more. Chaestostoma incoroporates the rubberlip/bulldog plecs and these usualy max out at 6", some are smaller depending on exact species. Most need a high oxygen level and a few don't like high temps. They will eat algae as well as a bristlenose would. I think that's your whole list Sorry for making it so difficult to read...

 

[Welsh_Woman]

thankyou, thats no problem lol this is just all so confusing, heh i just want something small to eat algae and its turning into an expadition! lol

right...on what you said I think i'm best gettiing a few Otoncinclus, I can get 4 for £5 is that good? lol i dunno but they are small and eat algae...yea!!!!!!!!!

 

[sylvia]

Yeah that is good - and a good choice too Otos are cute

 

[guppy_man]

i have done the same as you welsh_woman.
i bought a common plec not knowing the size they will grow but anyway i have him in a 20 gal but he is at least 4 and a half inch's so im thinking of giving to my lps and might i add i am great m8s with him so he might give me a smaller pleco instead of my nearlly 5 incher.

im giving him some of my guppy fry because i have to many to home and he said he will give me some aquarium equipment so that kina kwl

my pleco doesnt eat algea at all, all he eats is cucumber so im thinking of getting 2 siamese algea eaters.

 

[lizard]

When people come into my lfs looking for an algae eater, I recommend Otos, unless they have a tank that's big enough for a Pleco and they actually want a Pleco. SAEs generally don't eat algae off the glass like the Otos or Plecos will. When they get bigger they can also be territorial. I seem to recall reading that SAEs (at least when they get older) should be kept singly or in groups of at least three - that may or may not be true. I don't have any experience with pairs or groups of SAEs.

Otos will appreciate cucumber, too. Speaking of which, I ought to get some cuke for my cute little Otos!

Pamela
aka Married Lizard