I need a good small algae eater

[TOPSECRET]

I have a 10 gallon with a good amount of algae and I would like to get a good algae eater that does'nt get big. I would like something 3" or less. I had an otto in with them but recently died . I can convert it to completely coldwater now so i need a coldwater fish.

 

[Innes]

no fish will noticibly clean the tank so you dont have to clean it, however all fish produce waste that adds to the tank pollution....



my advice is to buy an algea scraper and do it yourself

 

[JAYJT]

Id just get a magnetic algae remover as this will do the job 100% from the glass or if its not algae on the glass that needs sorting there are some good anti algae products out there which do not harm your fish ask your fish dealer...

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

an ancistrus will help, but don't get one if your tank is already stocked to its maximum. I have a glass cleaning magnet and it works great.

 

[snowyangel]

I have a 10 gallon with a good amount of algae and I would like to get a good algae eater that does'nt get big. I would like something 3" or less. I had an otto in with them but recently died . I can convert it to completely coldwater now so i need a coldwater fish.

You could try a type of cory because most grow to 3", bare mind they're more bottom feeders than anything but they do prefer temps between 60-76 F . You can have cories in warmer water but it doesnt prolong the life of it.

 

[Sinuhe]

Do cories eat algae???

 

[snowyangel]

Not as much as, say, plecos. They are energenic (well mine are) bottom feeders and once in awhile i see my 4 cories grazing over top of my ornaments and tank walls, but they wont stay there sucking like plecos.

 

[guppymonkey]

As far as I know there are no cold water algae eaters (or at least none that are in pet stores). If it was a tropical tank I would suggest getting a school of Ottocinclus. Ottos clean up algae rather quickly. You said you had one that died, I am willing to bet that it died because it was the only one in the tank. They are schooling fish so they definately need a couple companions. They are tropical fish though and would quickly get sick and die in cold water. To clean up algae in a cold water tank I suggest getting a magnetic scraper.

 

[EddieW]

TopSecret,

Depends how cold your cold water is going to be - have you considered Apple Snails:

...optimal water temperature for apple snails lays between 18 to 28°C (65-82°F). ... At lower temperatures (18°C/65°F) the apple snail enters a dormancy state in which they creep away in the mud and become very inactive

THere are many different types of Apple Snail - here is a site all about them.

HTH, Eddie

 

[Black_Tetra]

you can get a few mystery snails... They get really pretty and feast on algea!

 

[jjsdad]

For a small tropical tank otos are the way to go !!
I have 3 in my 10g and they keep it spotless.
Keep them in groups though they like to have some buddies.

For a coldwater tank the snails are a good idea.
Another alternative might be a borneo or hillstream loach.
they are from cold streams in asia.

 

[HeatherSweetness]

I have apple snails in my ten gallon by the window prone to massive algae bloom and they keep that tank stripped of any algae. I'd go for snails.

 

[Perky]

As far as I know there are no cold water algae eaters (or at least none that are in pet stores).

There are coldwater plecs. My LFS gad about 10 in. They where about 1 inch but I don't know how big they grow. Here is a place that sells them. Plec Link. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and it is third from bottom. This is in the UK though

 

[Cheese Specialist]

As far as I know there are no cold water algae eaters (or at least none that are in pet stores).

There are coldwater plecs. My LFS gad about 10 in. They where about 1 inch but I don't know how big they grow. Here is a place that sells them. Plec Link. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and it is third from bottom. This is in the UK though

Those are not coldwater plecs. These are Hillstream loaches - http/www.loaches.com/species_pages/beauf...ichowensis.html

I bought 2 from Trimar a while ago under the name coldwater plec. A lot of places call them that but they are not catfish, but loaches and have very different bodies and fins to plecs.

However, I was about to recommend them to Topsecret anyway as I have never fed mine. All they eat is algae. I have tried to feed them but they are not interested and have grown.

When I got these I did not want them for algae eating abilities, I think they are great fish and actually seeked them out and phoned Monty at Trimar asking if they had them (he said they did but under the name coldwater plec).

I'd definatley recomend these guys! Fantastic little creatures!!