FishProfiles.com Message Forums

what kinda fish would be a good tank cleaner and tank mate to breeding zebras?

I was thinking gold algea eaters
or maybe a couple of small corys

how many gallons is the tank.

Personally, I wouldn't add any tankmates no matter how large the setup is. From my readings, Hypancistrus zebra colonies spawn more willingly when kept in their own tank. There are probably several good reasons for this, I can think of two: The zebras should get conditioned on a very nice diet, including enticing food such as frozen bloodworms. Any tankmates will want their share of the food, and will not care that you are trying to fatten up your zebras. Also, when it comes to breeding most fish, solitude works out better than the hustle and bustle of a community tank. Tankmates can annoy, hassle, attack, or frighten potential breeders, which is just the opposite of what you want.

Besides, the gold algae eaters get large, aggressive, and messy, and cories need to be kept in larger amounts than just "a couple". A group of cories swarming all over the tank won't make the zebras feel frisky, that's for sure.

Either way, you don't want to add fish.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

The algea eater I have in my 20 gallon is very calm. he
rarely bothers anyone, he is usually the one being swam over. Maybe I just got the most submissive one there

By the way my zebra breeder tank is a 55 gallon

Do you HAVE the zebras yet? If not, I'd worry about getting everything cycled, furnished and ready for them first. And, no offense intended, but if you believe gold CAEs make good zebra tankmates, I'd, uh, read up a little on L-46 before taking action. People have had success with otocinclus in zebra breeders to keep them algae free, but letting them all alone is probably best (although I'm being a bit hypocritical in that I keep ottos in nearly all my tanks, breeders included).



Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 30-Mar-2005 19:49

I never read up on the gold algea eater since mine is so mild. I just checks profiles on it and now know the darker side of the algae eaters. And no I do not have the zebras yet. Im in the process of getting all my plants settled in and all that fun jazz. Good thing I don't have the zebras yet, I found that I have MTSs in my tank. Im thinking for the time being I may leave them in there to help keep my sand loose so that my plants can grow a little better. Then when I am comfortable with how my tanks looks I may get some Clown Loaches to do some snail extermination. Its all in the works for now. $$$$$ Never enough when you need it, and when you have it something goes wrong and then its gone again

thanks to all
highjinx

Get. Rid. Of. The. Snails.

Once the father releases his brood, they will be defenseless to the Maylasian Trumpet onslaught. All snails should be exterminated on sight.

lol Cup. It seems you have a grudge against the snails

Indeed. I had some hylas with a pair of breeding L-144s, but the spawns were never successful for some inexplicable reason. One night, prior to feeding them, I noticed pond snails crawling all over the wriggling fry. They were literally being eaten alive. Now I hate snails.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 30-Mar-2005 20:56