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i have a algae problem in my tank and i was wondering what fish is the best cat eating algae, because i heard alot will stop as they get older

This depends on the size of your tank. If you have a large enough tank, many plecos will do the job for you. Ottos work well too. You don't need an algae eater per ce, you can always wipe the algae with a sponge.

Best of luck
- DJ :88)

Bristle nose are probably the best, what size tank is it?

It also depends on the type of algae. I could say, well, BNs are great, but if you have fiamentous algae a BN won't be able to do much of anything.


Plus, it's more important to look at causes; algae can overwhelm even the best algae eater unless you help prevent it. Does the tank receive direct or indirect sunlight? How long are your lights on per day? How much and what kind of light? Do you have live plants? How big is the tank, and how many and what fish do you have? What's your water change schedule? What's the nitrate level in the tank?

-Molly
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What kind of algae do you have? Regular green alage, slimy blue-green algae that grows in mats(cyanobacteria), brown algae, hair/ thread algae...

What kind of algae eater you get depends on what kind of algae you have. In some cases the algae is caused by poor water conditions, and won't be eaten by any fish.

Anyway, depending on how big your tank is, the Bristlenose pleco would probably be your best bet. They're very hardy and they do a great job of cleaing up most kinds of algae. They do grow to around 4 inches (some species up to 5-6) so they're really best for aquariums over 20 gallons.

Once again though, we'll need more info from you regarding algae type and tank size before making too many suggestions.

EDIT: Sorry for the duplicate info, LM, I was typing while you posted...

Last edited by NowherMan6 at 30-Mar-2005 15:15

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Back in the saddle!

the algae that i have is the greean mat like stuff and i have gotten rid of the source and its in a 55 gallon

Filamentous matted stuff?
IME, nothing eats it. The usual hair algae types (SAEs, Amano and Cherry Shrimp, J. floridae) don't make a dent, and I doubt the "second string" species (Rosey Barbs, etc) are much better.

Sorry. Best to take a razor blade to it, or turn over whatever it's growing on. At least, if you've eliminated the cause, it won't come back.

-Molly
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A BN will do a great job with Algae. I don't know if they'll eat Hair Algae, but if possible you can scrub it off & it would be easier for you to control. Maybe you have alot of light.


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