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I have neon green alge growing in my tank...but it is only on one rock and only on the side facing the window. Is it harmful in any way? Will Otto's eat that kind of alge? Best way to get rid of it?

Neon green algae? Is it spot algae or more of a hair like algae? If your ottos dont eat it the best way is to take out the rocks and scrub them. I get a bucket of warm water and add some aquarium sallt to it and then use one of those big algae scrubbers. You could also use one of those battery powered electric toothbrushes that go for around 10 dollars.

It is spot alge...little...neon...green...spots...

One of the most annoying ones . That is harmless and ottos wont touch that (well at least mine dont). So the best way is to scrub away.

Agreed. I find that an old credit card scrapes it off pretty good. It only took me like 10 minutes to do the 75g completely the other day with one. Good luck!

If it's just growing on one of the sides, just leave it on there. Small amounts of algae are beneficial to aquariums, because they serve the same purpose as plants (absorbing nitrates).

On my tanks, I only scrub the front of the tank and let the back and sides get a little green.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

In my experience, spot algae on glass is something that Otocinclus will rasp at if they have no other choice, bit it's an effort for them to do so. However, the same algae growing on a rock or a small piece of bogwood seems to be less troublesome for them to eat. And eat it they will, with a fair amount of gusto.

However, I've been a cultivator of the infamous "Otocinclus Pet Rocks™" for some time. Great way of keeping the little guys happy.

Take some containers, fill with water, position where they will receive lots of natural daylight, ideally sunshine. Select some suitably sized aquarium safe rocks and small pieces of aquarium cured bogwood. Soak in said jars until a nice coating of green fur appears. Pop one at a time in with the Otocinclus and watch them enjoy themselves!

Using several jars means you can feed them in rotation. Once one rock or bogwood piece has been nibbled clean, pop it back in the jar to recharge it, and take out another one the next day.

Callatya also mentioned that if you have broad leaved plants such as Amazon Swords or Cryptocoryne that end up with algal-spotted leaves, don't throw the leaves away when pruning the plants. Leave a couple of algal-spotted leaves in with the Otocinclus in some suitable corner, and watch them munch away.

I'd start cultivating more of those rocks if I were you. While Otocinclus and other algae eaters find it hard work rasping spot algae from glass, as I've said above, it's a good deal easier for them to do it from a rock or a piece of bogwood. And it'll help keep them happy!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002