Suitable Algae Eater For Shelldweller Tank

[jambo1238]

Hello everyone. Hopefully you guys can help me.

I have a 33 gallon tank, which contains 6 Neolamprologus Multifasciatus (Multies Shelldwellers) and two Calvus Cichlid.

But my tank has so much green and brown algae, the brown algae is no problem as i can remove it, but the green algae is hard to remove.

My question is What algae eater would be compatible for my tank and other species? Also i need an algae eater which will eat green algae.

The algae is not hairy, there are green specks on the majority of the glass.

Many thanx guys.

 

[mark7616]

Most plecs are not good algea eaters they are not going to get your tank clean mate. The best thing to remove algea is an algea scraper but if you do want a plec bristle nose plecs do well in a shelldweller tank. Also its not best to keep calvus in you tank as its not really big enough for them.

 

[jambo1238]

Cheers mate.

Would the bristlenose be okay in the same space as the shelldwellers, because they are quite territorial.

 

[mark7616]

yes they will.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

If you find that the algae is difficult to remove, chances are any algae eating fish will have the same difficultly. If it's green dot algae you'll have to remove it by hand.

 

[jambo1238]

I think it is green dot algae, i guess i will have to put some elbow grease in. lol.

Cheers guys

 

[eschaton]

The best thing to get is clearly some snails. Nerites will do the trick, and work great (since they're often used in planted tanks where their shells slowly dissolve, but your PH should be high enough for them to thrive). Apple snails are also good - I'm guessing you don't have any plants, so the species won't matter too much.

 

[jambo1238]

Good idea. But would the shellies or calvus attack the snails or would they be ok.

 

[Straydum]

they should leave them alone imo. but you cant be too certain. maybe one or two will get eaten from time to time

 

[eschaton]

Good idea. But would the shellies or calvus attack the snails or would they be ok.

I've seen tanks online where shell-dwellers and snails live together happily. I don't have too much personal experience with shellies, so I can't comment beyond that.