Small Algae Eater

[RainbowBetta]

I have a small 1 gallon tank with 2 goldfish and 3 smallish cave like rocks.. I will most likely get a larger 3 gallon tank sometime soon. I was wondering what type of algae eater could fit in that size tank? I want to try and keep the tank cleaner for a longer time.

Thanks!

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid I'm going to give you some really bad news...
 
Goldfish should not be kept in tanks that small. They should grow quite big and are messy eaters; fancy goldfish (those with short bodies and fan shaped tails) need a minimum tank size of 100l (26 US gallons) for one fish, with an another 40l (10 US gallons) for each additional fish, so two would need a 140l (37 gallons).
 
If they're 'normal' single tailed goldfish, they're really only suitable for ponds, as you would need a huge tank; they can grow to a foot long!
 
There are no algae eaters that could live in either a 1 or 3 gallon tank.

 

[IonaMcCluskey]

please tell me the 0 on your keyboard isn't working?

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

Im [retty sure it is. GOldfish need a cycled, filtered, large tank.  Even the smaller plecos have to have at least a 20g substained tank to thrive

 

[Ch4rlie]

Sorry, Eagles has pretty got it spot on, some goldfish do really grow huge, some species grow in length bigger than my leg!
 
So the 0 on his keyboard is working perfectly fine, in fact he is talking of minimum tank sizes, so bigger tanks than the sizes he stated is better!
 
A common misconception is that most people think goldfish do not grow bigger than the tank they are in, and are easy to look after etc etc
Afraid not true, they are messy fish, meaning produces a LOT of ammonia and need a decent filter and regular large water changes and will grow stunted in small tanks, means body almost stays the same size but inner organs continue to grow, a painful way of living for fishes.
 
Also you cannot mix goldfish with tropicals either, goldfish do best in cooler waters while tropical fish are best in generally 24 to 30C.
Can't really have one with the other in either tank set up.

 

[attibones]

People frequently seem unaware that goldfish are carp which get very large. I bred some for a spell. They were larger than my forearm and much thicker after only a year. We started with juvie comets which soon became very large and heavy fish. You'll need to rehome these fish or get a larger aquarium/pond. 

 

[DerpPH]

These guys up here are the experts when it comes to these things.
 
Just listen to their suggestions and do not go to the saying "its just a fish?". Fish deserve as much care as all of our other pets

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Just to answer your question, an otocinclus would be the best, smallest algae-eater though it will require a more delicate approach to care than most.

Guppies can also act as an algae-eater.

 

[ech0o]

Just to answer your question, an otocinclus would be the best, smallest algae-eater though it will require a more delicate approach to care than most.

Guppies can also act as an algae-eater.

An otocinclus would probably not be best.  1 gallon is FOR SURE not suitable for an otocinclus, and you should also keep otos in groups.  

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Oh sorry, i was only thinking of a smallest algae-eater possible and i failed to read his 'fit in this tank size' part of the post.

 

[DerpPH]

Oh sorry, i was only thinking of a smallest algae-eater possible and i failed to read his 'fit in this tank size' part of the post.

 
 
Endlers could work but his tank is too small!

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Haha i know right. Bettas or bumblebee gobies would best suit a tank that size

 

[DerpPH]

Haha i know right. Bettas or bumblebee gobies would best suit a tank that size

 
 
Well I dont think anu of the common fish we have can fit in a 1 gallon.

 

[IonaMcCluskey]

@ ch4rlie
how do you know that the 0 on the OP's keyboard is working? you seem to have stated that as fact.
 
you can also get cold water algae eaters, they used to be known as sucking loaches. they came in along the same lines as the zebra danios, originally thought tropical only but were found to do just aswell in colder temps.
 
i wholeheartedly agree with the advice given by fluttermoth and would go so far as to say they may in fact need more. i have one of my goldies at almost 6" (depending on whether you take the tail into account) and i would cringe to think of keeping him in my 35imp/42us g long term as altho the gallonage is enough to support his bio-load he would not have much room for movement. these fish need a lot of room to move and are actually quite active if kept in a decent sized tank.
 
from the calculator on here a 5" cube registers 1us g altho not an imp g, take those measurements up to 8"x7"x7" and it goes to 2us g altho still only 1imp g. as the OP is from the states i assume they are working in us g. to put 2 goldfish and three rocks in a tank this size will hardly leave room for water let alone a filter and room for the fish to move.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Have a go at Ch4rlie day today!
 
 

@ ch4rlie
how do you know that the 0 on the OP's keyboard is working? you seem to have stated that as fact.

 
 
Ok, it was your post. my mistake. Either you were saying hoping OP's keyboard 0 is not working or either Fluttermoths 0 key was not working, assumed was Fluttermoths post you were referring to. Obviously got this wrong.
 
Don't think it was my best day yesterday.
 
Apologies to all.