fish to help with algae problem

[GMcD]

I have a 29 gal US tank that gets some partial sun light, not direct. Because of this I constantly have an algae problem and I am getting tired of scrapping it off. Im consideringt adding some ottos to my tank to help with the problem.

I currently have

3 3 dot gouramis 2.5" long
1 needle nose gar 10" long
1 albino red tailed black shark 4" long
2 eclipse catfish both 2" long

I was hoping they would get along with my fish and not overstock the tank. Any help or advice would be appreciated THX.

 

[sylvia]

You are already extremely over-stocked. A 10" needlenose gar needs a larger home. No wander you have algae problems! What you need to do is upgrade your tank or rehome that fish. Adding otos won't improve the situation and will compromise water quality further.

 

[jhd]

one true SAE will do the job in 29g, but you need to find a new home for your gar.(True SAE will have single pair of whiskers)

 

[rdd1952]

True SAE will have single pair of whiskers

On true SAE, the strip (only one down the middle of side) will extend into the tail (somewhat fainter in tail). On False SAE, the strip stops at the tail and on Flying Foxes, there is another strip down the top of the back.

As for otos, I haven't had much luck with them. The seem to die on me even though my water parameters are great. I would thinkthe SAEs would be much better. I have those in my 75 gallon.

You definitely need to rehouse your gar. Not only is his size a problem, but I'm suprised a 10" gar hasn't already feasted on the other tankmates since they are all very small. They will eat anything they can catch. I used to fish for them using live fish for bait. I don't think the otos would last very long at all in a tank with him at all. They are slow swimmers and like to hng on the side of the tank. Easy pickings for a hungry gar.

Edit: It also depends on what kind of algae you have as some fish won't eat certain types of algae.