FishProfiles.com Message Forums

OK. I have 4 Chinesse algea eaters, not that great.

I also have 5 khuli loaches and 5 ruby red danios. I want zebra otocinclus, but they are hard to find. I just want maybe 4 nice looking fish for the algae issues of a live plant aquarium. Any suggestions?

I also plan on buying 5 more red danios for a nice school of 10. And I was thinking of maybe 5 more of another small colorful, peaceful fish. Oh, ps. I have a 46 gallon tank.

Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks

First of all I would get rid of the CAE's Because they get big, aggressive, and stop eaing algae. For a 46 gallon, I would very highly recommend a Bristlenose Pleco. They get only 6-8 inches and are very good algae eaters + they are interesting to look at.

-Vincent

I would like to point you to my article on Algae Eaters.
It should answer all your questions.
Heres the link.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/30312.1.htm?7#

Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

6-8 inches? rats. I was hoping I could find something that didn't get larger than 3 inches.

So the otocinclus aren't to good at eating algae? I really took a liking to those zebra otocinclus.

I guess if its my only (or best) option, the Bristlenose Pleco is cool. How many should I have for a 46 gallon tank? Will they be ok with my other fish?

Thanks for all the comments

you only need one bristlenose and just him will keep your tank clean.

-Vincent

Psuk,
did you read my article at all?
Obviously not or you wouldnt be asking if ottos
are good algae eaters or not.
BN Plecos most commonly only reach 4 inches.
Only a few varieties get larger.
For your tank, I would highly recommend the Farlowella
Acus, the Twig Catfish. Its the best algae eater to keep in your size tank, will keep it spotless of algae, and grows only 5-8 inches long and is thin as a pencil. A very very cool fish. 1 would be sufficient for your tank size,
but you could do two if you are willing to supplement them with zuchinni, algae discs, and other foods.

If you had looked at my article, my listings
for the top algae eaters are in order:

1) Siamese Algae Eaters (keep in a trio or more grow to 6 inches)
2) Farlowella Catfish (Twig Catfish) (keep 1 per 25g)
3) BN Pleco/Ottos Tie (keep 1 per 25g for BN - keep 3ottos per 10g)
4) Florida Flag Fish (dont keep with long fin fish)
5) Mollies
6) Amano Shrimp/Ghost shrimp (dont keep with anything that can eat them).




Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

So_Very_Sneaky is right on, as usual

I would like to add a different spin to the thread though:

Instead of finding something to eat your algae, have you thought about eliminating the cause of the algae? Here are some reasons people (including myself, I have to confess) have algae:

Overfeeding
Nutrient imbalance (meaning food for plants is out of sink)
Infrequent or insufficient water changes
Bad lighting
Overstocked tank

That covers most.

Maybe it is worthwhile trying to identify your algae source first.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I would just like to add that there is more than one type algae, and cartain species fish may enjoy a certain kind of algae whlie others may not. That as well may play a role in what fishies to pursue. I have a rubbernosed pleco that keeps all the glass perfectly spotless, however he won't touch anything on the plants, gravel or decorations, but molly loves the stuff on my plants and the ottos take anything left over.