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Hey all,

Getting ready to move to the new house soon and setting up a pond there. In my 55gallon i have a common pleco, he has at least doubled/tripled in size since being introduced to this tank in 2 months and I would like another algae eater that will remain smaller size. My pleco will end up in the pond and have room to grow as necessary. I was thinking a few (3 maybe?) ottos or something else that might remain small. Here is what will remain in the tank for sure. (i am moving my mollies and swordtails to their own tanks) I have been considering a red tail shark (or similar) and maybe 2 or 3 balas but have been concerned about their space requirements.

4x Ghost Catfish
1x Angelfish
4x Gouramis (all dwarfs blue, fire, gold, tiger stripe)
6x Tetras (3 strawberry, 3 blueberry)

Thanks for any help.

If a 55 with that stock - looks about right, or even a little understocked - you can try out a Bristlenose pleco, or maybe even two.. as long as they have caves or structures on either end of the tank to establish as their territory. Very good algae eaters IMO. Otos would also be fine, but maybe get 6 rather than 3, as they're shoaling fish. Plus, some of them tend to die off in the first few weeks of having them, so you want to get maybe 1 or 2 more than you think you need.

EDIT: I forgot your part about the RTBS and the balas. Be aware that RTBS can be aggressive, especially as they get older, and bala sharks will grow far too large for a 55 gallon tank. Just a word to the wise... if you want to add more of your mid-level swimmers, just add a few more of each of your tetras

Last edited by NowherMan6 at 12-Oct-2005 12:31

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Back in the saddle!

Aren't blueberry and strawberry tetras, artifically colored? Dyed fish tend to be sickly and can give things to your other fish.

*berry tetras are artificially dyed, and sometimes can have a lower immune system tolerance due to the artificial chemical, but others are just as healthy as others. My longest living fish for a long time was strawberry and blueberry tetras, and they were moved 4 or 5 times too

You can get a BN as a small Algae eater.


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yes, i got the tetras before i was aware of the fact that they are dyed. I actually have had zero problems with mine. Even with some of the learning mistakes i have made they have never gotten ich or any other of the diseases that have struck my fish as my tank was coming up. I admit to the "those look cool, i want" thing and my wife loves them so...

But my thoughts are that the process actually weeds out the weak ones because of the harsh treatment perhaps.


Anyway, bristlenose and ottos. have not had any experience with bristlenose but i have one otto (poor guy i know he needs friends but i need him to clean one of my small tanks and he appears to be perfectly happy with his guppy buddies) and love him to death. Thanks for the thoughts - any other ideas greatly appreciated.

Yes, get your lone Otocinclus 6 or 7 buddies and make him happy.

Algae eaters par excellence in my opinion. They won't necessarily control the hard bright green spot algae that grows on the glkass, but they'll give it a go when they've run out of easier to much algae to gnaw on. Brown algae will be nuked in pretty short order, and green algae growing on more 'natural' surfaces than glass, such as bogwood or stones underwater, will give your Otocinclus a nice treat.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

My pleco will end up in the pond and have room to grow as necessary.

Just to warn you... If winter temperatures where you are drop below 60 degrees in the winter, the pleco will die if it is not brought inside. They are native to tropical regions in South America and need warm water.







Last edited by Cory Addict at 12-Oct-2005 21:40

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

wow, i was not aware of that. Great advice, it does get low but i had planned a full filtration system and water heater. I live in the desert (mojave desert, edwards afb CA.) so it does not freeze and snow is just not going to happen here at all. Have i mentioned how much i miss real seasons like fall and spring...not just hot and cold? (was 96 degrees here yesterday to show comparison).

Good to know things though and if it gets low enough or the water temp drops i will bring them inside.

I know the area you live in and it will get to cold for a pleco in the pond.

The mojave may be too hot during the day and the night drops may be too severe, most areas that plecs come from either have steadier temperatures or the effect is cushioned by thousands if not millions of gallons of water.

Last edited by longhairedgit at 15-Oct-2005 23:45

Chinese Algae Eaters, Otocinclus, or Bristle Nose Pleco

I've got a fever... and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

or possibly a flounder

I've got a fever... and the only prescription... is more cowbell!

Algae Eater grow large and aggressive, and once they reach about 3" they stop eating algae.

Flounders are carnivores and do not eat any algae at all.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.