Before I commit myself...

[sammydee]

Right I am going for a big trip to the LFS tomorow. Before I commit my money and time (and potentially the lives of the fish ) I just want to make sure of a couple of things.

Are Ottos compatible with angelfish? What kind of water do they need? Do African Dwarf Frogs need blackworms or bloodworms (can't remember which one it is) and will they be ok on small kind of sharpish gravel? If not I will get ghostshrimp and a betta instead.

Incidently they are not for the same tank.

Thanks

 

[yvez9]

the ottos and angels will be fine
just very slowly acclimate them cause they're like the most sensitive fish ever (well not the most, but thye really are sensitive)

the dawrf frogs will eat meaty foods some i believe blackworms and bloodworms are fine. they should also eat brine shrimp...

 

[sammydee]

I'm wondering if Ottos are such a good idea... they seem pretty delicate. Any other fish that eat algae but won't grow HUGE like a plec?

 

[yvez9]

hillstream loach (borneo)
siamese flying fox

how big is your tank?

 

[clutterydrawer]

hillstream loaches are more suited to coldwater tanks though...

 

[alpha_wolf]

hillstream loach are beautiful and unique looking, but yes they PREFER cold water tanks, maybe even preferring flowing water, and definitely alot of oxygen. And theres a chance they may even be wild caught.

 

[sylvia]

Not all plecs grow huge. Bulldog plecs, bristlenose plecs and many peckoltias and panaques will not exceed 5" and will eat algae. With the peckoltias/panaques you'll need to do some research first beacause of the number of species but I can say that the commonly sold bristlenose and bulldog plecs would work fine. Just keep in mind that you may need more than one in a larger tank if you have lots of algae.

Also, siamese flying foxes/siamese algae eaters, false flying foxes/false siamese algae eaters, flying foxes and american-flag fish will all eat algae. the first is the most effective but all are very good. The first three reach 4" or there about and enjoy each other's company and do best in small groups. The last gets to about 3" and the males can be territorial (somewhat like gouramies in temperament) but the duller females are quite similar to platies in temperament.

All the above fish would work with angels. However, american-flag fish will sometimes nip so take care with these (they are very attractive and effective algae-eaters though) and some of the species I mentioned will be better off alone while others will do best in shoals.

 

[sammydee]

Oops forgot to say - the Ottos were for a 20 gallon. I think flying foxes would be too big.

I'll go for the Ottos I think.

 

[Jen]

I have had no problems with my ottos. I have 3, and they are all still living 7 months later!

 

[OohFeeshy]

How long have you had the tank for? Otos are best kept in an established tank. BN plecs aren't big and they have cool bristles.

 

[sammydee]

Had the tank for about three years. I will ask at the LFS whether I should get a bristle nose plec or Ottos. The bloke there is usually very helpful.

 

[sammydee]

I went to the LFS today. They did not have any ADFs unfortunately. However, I got loads of plants and three Ottos! They're so cool. They are already zooming round my tank hoovering up the algae and eating the cucumber that I put in for them. What awesome little fish!

My tank looks so much better with the plants. This is it before:

And this is it after:

So which do you think is better ? The old one looks kinda like a desert compared to the new.

BTW I would like to say a BIG thankyou to SarahBravo for sending me the Javamoss.