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There you go, a nice simple question for you all to answer.

Does there exist a fish that eats blanket weed (that horrible stringy mat forming algal gunk that becomes a pestilence whenever it takes hold)?

Ideally, I'm looking for a small fish. One that's not too demanding space wise, and won't require specialised water chemistry for maintenance.

It would be nice if Otocinclus would do it, but I'm tempted to think that they won't. At least, I've never tried them with blanket weed, and just in case it disagrees with them, I'm not willing to risk my prize Otocinclus from the Panda Fun Palace on an experiment.

I think livebearers of the Genus Limia will handle the task, because they were renowned as algae destroyers for a long while in the years before the Bristlenose Plecs took over. Only trouble with those is finding them - they're something I have to look around fish shows for.

I know Siamese Algae Eaters will destroy the stuff on sight, and will also destroy that horrble hair algae that I once had in 1999 (because I bought two SAEs and they NUKED every last scrap of hair algae in existence - GREAT workers!), but SAEs grow big and fast, and I'd prefer something that stayed small so that I could keep it on permanent retainer.

So, any suggestions? Post them here and let me review them.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Not familiar with "blanket weed" Are you talking about thread or hair algae which is green, or stagorn which is greyish?

Florida flagfish are supposed great thread/ hair algae eaters, though not sure how available they are in the UK. They're also a bit territorial from what I've read. No first hand experience with them.

Another option perhaps: are you able to remove any of it manually? Pick out as much as you can of what's already there, and introducing Japonica shrimp should keep it under control. I don't think they'll eat long threads that are already rpesent, but they should control new growth.

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Back in the saddle!

This is definitely green. Intensely green as a matter of fact. And forms big tangled mats of threads.

It's different from the hair algae I had in 1999, which was almost black, didn't grow to anything like the scale of this blanket weed (I suspect what I'm dealing with is a particularly rampant Spirogyra or similar).

These Japonica shrimps - these aren't Amanos are they?

Hmm. Things a plenty to toy with here ...


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Yes, they are Amanos. I would stress removing the big mats wherever they are, even if it means throwing out some plants. Get rid of the big stuff, add a bunch of Amano shrimp and they should keep it under control.

TA himself commented that they are were the single best control mechanism for algae in the planted aquarium. In his first nature aquarium book (dont have it in front of me) he includes a picture of a tank he says he nearly lost to hair/ thread algae if not for the japonica shrimp.

If it's a problem don't just get one or two and expect a miracle. Add a bunch. They won't hurt fish or eggs. Just take a good look at their claws when you buy them because occasionally a similar looking but more aggressive species may be mixed in with a shipment.

As with any thing you're going to add to your aquarium do a good deal fo research on your own first to make sure they're right for you... but I don't need to tell you that, with the way you take care of your pandas

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Back in the saddle!

Blanket weed typically begins growth early in the year, and it is possible to stem it's growth early on, using chemicals, or pulling away any visible blanket weed by hand.

Have you considered trying barley straw? They are supposedly great for smaller ponds, and as the straw rots, it secretes a substance that stops future growth of green water and blanket weed. How aerated is your water? The bacteria needs aerated water to produce this chemical and should be located near a waterfall, or the surface of the water; otherwise the barley will simply decompose and further pollute the water, so if you use it, be sure to place it wisely.

Watercress is a very effective plant used in controlling blanket weed, but they are very demanding in pruning, otherwise they become a nuisiance.

Grasscarp are an option, but once they are exposed to fish food, they may neglect the blanket weed in favor of an easier meal. Koi may nibble at it, but they are not sufficient algae consumers. You could try an oto, I have had good experience with them eating the algae in my tanks, and they stay fairly small, around two inches long. Hope that helps,
Indigo



~Indigo

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~Indigo

~Wear short sleeves; support your right to bear arms!~

I think cali has this algea problem in a tank not a pond.

Also i'm a bit dubious about the whole barley straw thing, as far as i'm aware all that it does is bind nitrates to one of the chemicals it secretes during decomposition, this can be easily managed with lots of plants and good water changes.

Ok, first question is this. Is everyone absolutely sure that Amano Shrimp won't touch fish eggs? Because if that is the case, they'll make the ideal solution for my sudden outbreak, which has occured in the Panda nursery since it was vacated by the last batch of juveniles.

Second question is this: why does this particular form of alga choose to strike in vacated aquaria? Only the same problem has manifested itself in my quarantine aquarium, which has been vacant for some time.

Third question: will a change of fluorescent tube in the Panda nursery be useful? Only the current tube seems to be a bit of a dud for raising the plant life I want to raise, instead of the plant life I dont want to raise. Which is odd, because it's twice as bright as the one in the Panda Fun Palace, and that tube is happily maintaining an underwater rainforest of Java Moss, Java Ferns, Amazon Swords and Bacopa. The tube illuminating the Panda Fun Palace is rated at a colour temperature of 7,500K, while the nursery aquarium tube is claimed to be (wait for it) an 18,000K rated tube. This latter tube is too bright to look at directly once powered up, yet it doesn't seem to be delivering the goods despite making the aquarium look nice and bright.

Fourth and final question: if I can obtain some of those oh-so-desirable Red Cherry Shrimps (the red form of Neocaridina denticulata sinensis - see [link-=this page]http://www.petshrimp.com/redcherryshrimp.html[/link] for some pictures of how gorgeous this shrimp is), will they control this filamentous alga as well, and will they do so while remaining non-threatening to Cory eggs or other fish eggs?


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I think the 18000k bulb is the wrong colour temperature to be used by itself in a planted aquarium.

I have one in my tank, however it is complimented with 2 "daylight" bulbs.

P.S. cali, can you cast your expert opinion over this thread please?

I've never heard fo amano shrimp touching fish eggs. They're natural scavengers but primarily herbivores. They will eat dead fish and dead shrimp, but would definetely not attack a fish or shrimp. Mine seem to spurn any kind of pellet food I drop into the tank, be it algae wafer or shrimp pellet. They seem to prefer picking around the wood and plant leaves and glass, eating bits of who knows what.

I wish I knew the answer to your second question generally, where there is light and organic matter, anything that decays and produces ammonia, you will get algae. The unusual wavelength of your bulb may or may not have anything to do with it, but 18,000K is way off for growing plants. Stick to the 5500-7500 range and you'll fare a lot better. And plant heavily! Your fry will appreciate it.

Cherry shrimp are nicer looking than Amanos and yes they do eat algae - however they are about a third of the size of a full grown Amano shrimp and so it will take much larger numbers of them to keep things under control. They tend to be more expensive as well, and IME a bit more sensitive than Amanos. I've also found that they're more partial to pellet fish food if given to them. If you really like them then why not get a few of each - Amanos for function and cherries for beauty and function The Amanos, though much larger, won't attack them.

Research and read about them first to make sure you're comfortable with the move.

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Back in the saddle!

Cherry shrimp won't eat it. Neither will the rainbow and snowball shrimp or the red and blue ramshorns. I have to keep pulling this junk out of the shrimp tank by hand. They do love to hide in it and pick bits of other algae and such off of it but don't make a dent in the actual mats. I also haven't noticed any effect from changing the bulbs.

Comments duly noted and being processed through my currently overheated brain (my living room is at 85 degrees F and it's 9:15 pm ... today has been a scorcher!).

Oh, Bonny, I posted something in your shrimp thread you might like.

Amanos and Cherry Reds together? Oh I would LOVE to ... if I could find the Cherry Reds! Plus, the Amanos are going to be an interesting purchase in their own right, given that I need to take a 40 minute cycle ride to pick them up, and another 40 minute ride home ... which in daytime temps exceeeding 90F is probably going to be good for my waistline, but BAD for my susceptibility to heat stroke!

Plus, if the shrimp proved compatible, I'd want to breed them. Then let lots of little baby shrimps loose in the Panda Fun Palace. Free live food for the Pandas!



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Regarding sham's comment about shrimp not eating the stuff - that's why I suggest removing a ton of it by hand if possible, even if it means replacing plants or hardscape. Remove as much as you can and let them keep new growth under control. A site associated with Takashi Amano suggests even adding the shrimp, then doing a 3 day blackout to allow the shrimp to consume the algae without new algae growing in.

By the way, Amano shrimp won't breed in freshwater, they need brackish somewhere along in the process, not an expert here but you can find info elsewhere. Cherries, on the other hand, will breed in FW if you get a big mix assuring that there are healthy males and females included.

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Back in the saddle!