What Are Good Algae Eaters?

[Kellie]

Hey all! Well I did have a chinese algae eater but at your guys suggestions I found him a new home. So I then ended up getting a Pleco, but he just hangs out in the corner and I never see him eat and it seems like my algae is growing more...any other good algae eater fishes etc that would maybe help it?

 

[Rhiannon]

Your plec probably cleans at night when the lights are out.

I have a BN, yes he is beautiful and gorgeous and adorable, but personally I dont think he cleans up algae like they are supposed to, so we have just ordered some otos for our tank. I hear they are quite good.

 

[AndyOleszczuk]

My two otos I just acquired cleaned all the algae off in little over 24 hours. Cant recommend them enough

 

[highfire]

Are ottos the same as dwarf suckermouth catfish? If so, given my current tank inhabitants, could I add any to my tank?

 

[sophos9]

I guess the first question should be what type of algae do you want to clear?

 

[The-Wolf]

Are ottos the same as dwarf suckermouth catfish? If so, given my current tank inhabitants, could I add any to my tank?

yes and yes, provided your tank is matured.

top algae eaters in my books are
the royal pleco group (L27a, L27b,L27c, etc)
vampire pleco L007
bristlenose plecos
otos
black mollies
SAEs

and for those that love a challenge in a huge tank
black sharks
CAEs

 

[Miss Wiggle]

good pinned topic on the subject here

 

[highfire]

yes and yes, provided your tank is matured.

top algae eaters in my books are
the royal pleco group (L27a, L27b,L27c, etc)
vampire pleco L007
bristlenose plecos
otos
black mollies
SAEs

and for those that love a challenge in a huge tank
black sharks
CAEs

Thanks for that, Wolf - loads of useful info there. The main problem I have is that my tank isn't actually heated, although it is stable at 22oC or thereabouts, without the aid of a heater.
I take it the fish you mention would still be happy in water of that temperature?

good pinned topic on the subject here

Excellent pinned topic - thanks for the direction, Miss Wiggle.

 

[The-Wolf]

although it is stable at 22oC or thereabouts.....
I take it the fish you mention would still be happy in water of that temperature?

hmm
for your temp I think the best bet is
Garra flavatra which is relativly new to the UK market
the wholesaler that supplied these to my Ex-works called them redfinned garras
my ex-boss labled them as gara flavis.

they are a very good algae eater for sub-tropical tanks as the tank I put them out in was spotless overnight
(not that it was heavily green but it did have some in places I couldn't scrub)

HTH

 

[highfire]

hmm
for your temp I think the best bet is
Garra flavatra which is relativly new to the UK market
the wholesaler that supplied these to my Ex-works called them redfinned garras
my ex-boss labled them as gara flavis.

they are a very good algae eater for sub-tropical tanks as the tank I put them out in was spotless overnight
(not that it was heavily green but it did have some in places I couldn't scrub)

HTH

I had a feeling you were going to say that, Wolf.

I have had several algea eaters in the past, I think they were Flying Foxes but I never did get a definate ID.

They all turned nasty, one was actually killed by another, and the remaining ones were all sent back to the shop pronto.

Is the Garra flavatra the same? Are they more peaceful and hopefully better suited to a community tank?

Thanks!

 

[The-Wolf]

IME (with shops stock) they are very peaceful compaired to other garra species or indeed any of the 'flying fox' group.

I can see garra flavatra becomming a very much sought after fish

 

[confusion]

I've been impressed with the job my rubber lip pleco does.

OTOH, algae problems are typically a sign of other problems - too much light, high nitrates, high phosphates, etc.

 

[highfire]

IME (with shops stock) they are very peaceful compaired to other garra species or indeed any of the 'flying fox' group.

I can see garra flavatra becomming a very much sought after fish

Great Wolf - I really appreciate your input. I shall make enquiries at my LFS about this fish.

I've been impressed with the job my rubber lip pleco does.

OTOH, algae problems are typically a sign of other problems - too much light, high nitrates, high phosphates, etc.

I have experimented alot with lighting since I set my tank up. I now have the lights on for 8 hours a day, my nitrates are 10, and I'm not sure about my phosphates because I don't have a test kit for that.

I am concerned about treating the cause of the algea rather than the symptoms of course, but I am also keen to add some algea eating fish to helps things along!

 

[eschaton]

I've actually read that Otos do better in unheated tanks than tropical ones.

 

[edgun88]

Otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, otos, and otos.




Did I mention otos?