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well, my pleco is getting too big for my tank now, it knocks my plants down because its tail just swings everywhere]:| and its poop is just gigantic the corner where he rests always get layers of worm looking stuff, so disgusting.

what should i get to replace my pleco? i have 4 otos now, and i want something else that still cleans the tank algea but wont get too big. i cannot find any other kind of plecos except rubber nose, and no BN around here, other wise it would be in my tank now... my pleco is about 6 inches now, so i only want about 5-6 inches of fish to be added.

3-4 cories?

yeah 3-4 cories will be sufficient they grow to be an inch to and inch and a half.

Cory's do a great job but not as good as plecos for me. If you decide on cory's though, julii are my favourite.

Cories don't eat algae, the only "cleaning" they do is eat leftover food that falls to the bottom of the tank. If you still need more algae control get more Ottos(2 or 3 more). Since they are schooling fish, your other 4 will appreciate it.

Plus, most Cories grow to atleast 2", so 3 Cories would be all you would want. And seeing how Cories are also schooling fish just have 3 might not work out the best.

[span class="edited"][Edited by T/A 2004-07-20 18:36][/span]

hmmm decision decision...:%)] if i get more otos... :%)army of otos... how many otos i need to keep my tank algea free anyways? i dont want too many cuz i might starve them. if 4 otos is enough already, i guess i'll go with a few cories

I would go for 3 Bulldog Plecs. They stay around 2-3 inches and will munch algae, maybe not as good as a Common or Gibbiceps but they still do a good job and stay small.

hmm i dont think we have any of those bulldogs here. i still havent traded that pleco yet, hmmm still dont know what i want. do otos only eat algea? do they clean the gravel a little? because my tank will be heavily planted, i am looking for fish that are smaller than 2 inches. sigh... decision decision....]

You should have bulldog plecs. They are the same as Rubbernose Plecs.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loricari/chaetost/407_f.php

If you want something to clean the gravel you could go for a trio of Kuhli Loaches or 6 Panda Cories as they are the best fish I can think of for cleanin up the substrate. The Bulldog Plec will then eat the algae.

How big is the Plec you are removing?

its about 6 inches, and because my tank will be heavily planted, it will not have much places to hide, and when it comes out at night, its tail knocks all my plants down, so i have to replant them in the morning]:|

i just want to know, if the 4 otos will take care of my algea, then i'll get 4 cories, if not, i'll get like 1 oto, and 3 cories. because angels are pretty messy eaters i think, they spit out their food a lot.

I'm ashamed to confess this, but I too faced this same dilemma recently -- having to find a replacement for my pleco... To be TOTALLY honest, I never "connected" with my plecos like I have with my other fish - simply knew I would need something to control the algae and help maintain the tank.... So, for my 55 gal tank I went to the lfs and purchased 2 VERY small plecos... Can't say they didn't do their job - because they were well adept at keeping my aquarium algae free! But when they grew from VERY tiny to about 5-6 inches in 4 months time, I knew that I would have to seek out an alternative.... Began to do the research that I should have done to begin with... Read MANY threads found on this site and finally decided to go with Ottos... Knew that I would have a potential problem with their diet - since my aquarium really doesn't produce an over abundance of algae.... So, once again made a trip to my lfs and prior to purchasing my Ottos, found an algae supplement - Nutrafin Spirulina Algae Tablets... purchased a few Ottos --- and it seems to be working! The tablets posed a few problems... they can be used 2 ways - dropping to sink to the bottom OR sticking them on the glass at the height where the Ottos seem to gravitate... Initially, I stuck the tablets to the glass and took delight in watching my Ottos swarm around - taking turns - eating the tablet! I LOVED "SUPPER TIME"!!!! But unfortunately, eventually the other community residents discovered these tablets were food and began butting in.... and as meek as my little Ottos are, they weren't willing to compete with the mollies, platies, etc.. So I once again had to change my feeding regimen... Now I stick a couple of tablets on the glass - wait until the other fish's attention are diverted to those and then drop one tablet around an area where Ottos are gathered.... Again, this method is working at this time.... Should in the future I need to improvise again, I am certain I will figure something out - because unlike with the plecos, I am quite attached to my Ottos... Such lively little guys!
My only regret is the fact that I purchased the plecos at all.... After reading up on them, I have come to the conclusion that these must be one of the most routinely abused fish ever! Commonly sold at lfs, department stores, etc. - for tanks which they will soon outgrow - and then their disposal! The more humane people return them to the lfs... (but frankly, is that really humane? What is their fate???).... while others kill them in a variety of ways.... Placing them in ponds, lakes or rivers.... knowing that when the cold weather hits their chances of survival are slim! I just can't understand why the stores - whatever kind - stock and regularly sell these poor fish - having full knowledge of what is to come - when there are so many alternatives to consider... I know that when I purchased my plecos I wasn't even asked what size of tank I had or advised that another type of fish might be more appropriate! I may not have connected to my plecos, but I wouldn't wish this destiny on my worst enemy! I truly regret that I supported this practice by my purchase! (If you're wondering, I returned my pleco to the lfs... but I do feel guilty about it...)

To thine own self be true...

you are right on that, the other day, petco has a huge sale of plecos for 99cents, so about 5 of their tanks were stocked with 20 plecos each... i was thinking, if nobody buys them, and 6 months later, what are they gonna do?!?! i just gave my pleco to my friend who put it in a 60 gallon.

and lately i being discovering that my ottos dont eat this green spot algea!!! i guess nothing eats those, and they are on leaves on plants, on rocks, i am going nuts, because i cant wipe the algea off all the leaves i got, that would just take years, and probably hurt the plants even if i try to do it gently.

well good luck with your ottos