How Many Ottos In A 29 Gallon Tank?

[TerraDreamer]

Hello,

I'm beginning to form algae in my tank, and apparently it's because either the tank is new (1.5 months) or I'm not leaving the light on long enough. I usually run the light from 5:30 AM until 9:00PM, so I thought that would be enough. But, I do have brown algae...not a lot, most of it is on the tops of my fake plants as well as beginning to appear on the surface of the substrate and the few rocks I have scattered about and on the surface of a fake stump .

If I go with Ottos...how many for a 29 gallon tank? From what I've been reading, if they don't find enough to eat they'll starve, and in many cases feeding them algae tablets or other vegetables is met with limited success...as I understand it from sources on the Internet. It is also said to not buy them individually as they like companionship. Also, they're not the hardiest of fish when added to a tank. So, certainly I have my fears.

And again, I'm not absolutely overrun with brown algae, but I've a feeling I will be in another few weeks unless I increase my lighting from the already 15.5 hours a day to 24, and then I suppose I'll end up with green algae - lol.

If it's recommended I get a snail instead, what type? My fear here is that I'll end up with hundreds of the little buggers and then the algae problem suddenly turns into a snail problem. Is there a variety I can buy that will not reproduce (assuming it's not loaded with fertilized eggs already) and keep the tank clean? Will they climb the plants at their tops and clean algae there? Also, will a snail starve to death? Should they be fed supplemental food?

My current stocking is:

1 Opaline Gourami
4 Pearl Gouramies
1 Peppered Cory

The Gouramies are young and average just less than 2 inches in length.

Water stats are fine; pH is 6.8.

Thanks for recommendations

 

[MegTheFish]

If you want less aglae, then turns the lights off. Keeping the lights on that long is whats causing your algea.
You already have 5 large-ish fish in there so it doesn't leave you room for much else unfortunatly. I would reccommend rehoming some of your gouramis as they are can be territorial and you should really only have 1 per tank or at the most a pair (1 male + 1 female).
As for the ottos, a group of 5 or so would work, they do tend to be a bit harder to keep but as long as they have algae to feast on and lots of algea discs and blanched veggies they should do fine. Snails aren't the best for aglae control, and as you pointed out, certain species will mutiply quickly and take over your tank. I'll also say that cories really should be kept in groups, so your peppered would appreciate some friends
Hope that helped a bit!

 

[TerraDreamer]

If you want less aglae, then turns the lights off. Keeping the lights on that long is whats causing your algea.
You already have 5 large-ish fish in there so it doesn't leave you room for much else unfortunatly. I would reccommend rehoming some of your gouramis as they are can be territorial and you should really only have 1 per tank or at the most a pair (1 male + 1 female).
As for the ottos, a group of 5 or so would work, they do tend to be a bit harder to keep but as long as they have algae to feast on and lots of algea discs and blanched veggies they should do fine. Snails aren't the best for aglae control, and as you pointed out, certain species will mutiply quickly and take over your tank. I'll also say that cories really should be kept in groups, so your peppered would appreciate some friends
Hope that helped a bit!

Thanks for the tips! As far as the gouramis go, the Opaline is being rehomed to my bro-in-laws tank, and two of the pearls will be relocated to a 55 gallon tank later this spring once I finish the downstairs remodel. And yes, more peppered cories are already on the shopping list

Thanks again. It appears I'm leaving the lights on too long.