Oto or SAE?

[illusion54]

I currently have 1 oto in my planted 30 us gallon tank and it is always munching on algae but it can only do so much. So, my options are oto or SAE?

Option 1-Buy couple of ottos and hope they can survive the first 2 weeks and start eating. They would help keep my other oto company and they do like to be in groups.

Option2-Add 2 or 3 SAE because they are said to be better algae eaters, which would benefit my tank.

Which you all recommend?

 

[soggysandwich]

i would have to say otos. because they are schooling fish so the one would be happyer with more otos. and SAE can be rather aggressive towards other fish. but unless you don't have any other fish.

 

[rdd1952]

i would have to say otos. because they are schooling fish so the one would be happyer with more otos. and SAE can be rather aggressive towards other fish. but unless you don't have any other fish.

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Actually SAE are fine with other fish and are great algae eaters. You are thinking about CAE which are aggressive when they get older.

As for otos or SAEs, I personally prefer SAEs. I have not had much luck with otos. They seem to die suddenly and have never done much for me in the way of eating algae. They just hang on the side of the tank. They eat cucumbers and zuchini just fine but didn't touch the algae.

 

[zephyr]

IMO otos are great for new tanks (not older than 6months) due to the brown algae that inhibits the tank. But talking long-term, i think SAE as they are great overall algae eaters, and are also known to eat BBA(black beard algae). Keep in mind that SAE may be needed to be kept in a small school (minimum of 3 i say).

 

[illusion54]

I'm still a little undecided. Im kinda thinking about 1 SAE. I'd like more but they get too big for my tank, so i think just one will be alright, or should i add both a sae and another oto or two?

My tank is only a month old and going through the brown algae stage along with other green algae from my attempt to get my plants grow better.

Thanks again.

 

[George Farmer]

Otos prefer softer algae, especially brown algae that is common in new set-ups (diatoms). A group of 4 or 5 would be fine in your tank. SAEs will eat all other types of algae.

You could keep one or maybe 2 SAEs too if you're not keeping too many other largish fish, 30G is quite small for more than this. I have two in my 34G with Otos and Amano shrimp - this combination gives a great algae crew.

 

[Lateral Line]

I think SAE's, (true SAE's not the imposters), are not aggressive. They should be kept in groups though and I personally believe they grow too large for less then 55's.

 

[rdd1952]

My tank is only a month old and going through the brown algae stage along with other green algae from my attempt to get my plants grow better.
Thanks again.

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The green algae may be dreaded blue green algae. If that is the case, there aren't any algae eaters that I'm aware of that will eat it.