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	algae eater questions
curvicep Fingerling Posts: 46 Kudos: 43 Votes: 0 Registered: 01-Feb-2005	SAEs take care of BBA easily. I had some anubias that had a lot of bba, dropped it in my 70gal with 2 SAEs and within a week it was eliminated. The only problem I have with SAEs is that they are really fast active fish, and if you keep more than one, they'll always be chasing each other. If you have fish that are easily startled (discus, angels), SAEs might a problem. I kept one male AFF aswell, they are the only fish that eats thread algae. Did a great job, but it was very mean towards the corys, kept biting their fins. Had to get rid of him. Last edited by curvicep at 08-Mar-2005 12:56
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Dwarf petricolas also do not live in very high pH ranges (normally mid sevens to 8--a pH of 9 is QUITE excessive), rather, the distinguishing factor is the hardness of the water in Tang. That being besides the point, however, because in general, pH has little bodily effect on fish. In fact, MANY documented spawnings (apparently, unlike their namesake, they aren't parasitic spawners), have taken palce in mildly low pH values.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	Dwarf petricolas also live in extremely high ph ranges (8.0 - 9.0) My Scapes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Hypancistrus sp. "snowball" eats no algae at all. Try a dwarf petricola or rosy barb; they will feed upon hair algae. Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 07-Mar-2005 22:00
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004	Frank - far be it from me to question you, but in my research I read that there are a few different fish that are confused with the true SAE. True SAEs, it seems, are peaceful even as they mature, whereas Flying Foxes and chinese algae eaters become aggressive as they grow. My problem with SAEs is the size, because they seem to grow to 5 inches or so, and shouldnt be kept alone. Flagfish, on the other hand, are small in size but seem to be on the aggressive side, and I'm not sure how they'd do with my betta and harlies. There's my dilemma... *Back in the saddle!*
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	Can AFFs be acclimated to a soft, acidic tank, because I could really use them. I believe they thrive in livebearer type conditions. My Scapes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, Between the SAEs and the American Flag Fish (AFFs), I'd go with the AFF. They stay small, don't bother plants, and are not agressive. Additionally, as the SAEs mature, they change their eating habits and cease eating the algae that they were put in the tank to control. Frank Last edited by FRANK at 07-Mar-2005 15:52 -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004	Otos and plecos don't really eat thread or stringy types of algae... that's why I'm interested in SAEs and flagfish, since they're some of the few that eat those types of algae. And thanks, BigGee. Last edited by NowherMan6 at 07-Mar-2005 14:21 *Back in the saddle!*
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003	I have 5 otos and 4 dwarf plecos (snowball, candystripe, albino) and I still have green hair algae problems. My Scapes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
BigGee168 Enthusiast Posts: 245 Kudos: 209 Votes: 42 Registered: 18-Jan-2004	Hey there, I wouldn't think adding a true SAE would overstock your tank by much. Seems like u don't have much bottom dwellers, there should be enough space for one. Here's a article abt em http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ Quote from article Maximum length is 15 cm ( 6" ) and might be obtained in two years, if the conditions are optimal. [font color="#C00000"]Normally They grow slower and don't always reach that size in captivity.[/font] So they normally don't obtain their full potential size. I would definatly advise u to add one. Maybe do water changes a lil more frequently. In the long run it makes your tank cleaner and nicer. Gee Last edited by BigGee168 at 07-Mar-2005 13:45 Gee !!I think I just learned somthing new!!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
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