algae eaters

[freshfishies]

I have to get rid of my large pleco, as he is getting to big for the tank & getting aggressive; so I need an alternative.
I've tried Otocats on numerous occasions and they haven't done well. Borneos are okay, but I can't keep them past a year

Can someone recommend a small algae eater? From 2-4 inches long?

Thanks!

[pminister]

I have a Chinese Algae Eater  and its about 1-1-1/2" long.

[freshfishies]

I heard they get aggressive. How do you find it is? Think it would fight with my rainbow shark?

[Laura]

Run of the mill BN plecos stay smallish and can do well in a variety of setups.

Borneos aren't algae eaters per se and do best with a specialized environment as described here
http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane

[dan2x38]

Chinese Agae Eaters have a nasty streak and like the slim coat on other fish they sometimes are scene sucking on the side of fish to get that slim. I too vote for the bristlenose they also enjoy driftwood grinding away on it so add a piece if ya don't have any. Driftwood will change the colour of tank water for awhile if it is new. Best algae control is curbing the causes. Nerite snails do a nice job on the regular stuff on the glass. It is usually best not to depend on a fish or invert to control or remove algae b/c they get lazy onc ethey learn you feed them often.

[some_guy]

A couple Zebra snails (narites) would help keep you glass clean and they look pretty cool.  I also agree with bushynose plecos, they do well also and don't get very big.

Chinese algae eaters can get huge almost a foot long I've heard.

[ottawa_fry22]

You could try a Twig Cat.  They are very slender even though they get 8inches or so.  I have one and I think he is very handy to have because they barely take up room. lol

[pminister]

I used to have the CAE in my goldfish tank, and soon it got taken out b/c as Dan said it sucks the slime off the fishes. But lately its been hanging out in my live bearers tank, and just been hiding underneath the driftwood all along.

And also this fish CAE is boring to look at. lol

[freshfishies]

thanks for the info everyone

[magnosis]

I keep 3 SAE in my tank with 3 goldfish, and everyone gets along very nicely.  The goldies aren't bothered by the faster moving SAEs.

On the other hand, when I introduced a couple of mollies, it started off very well but as soon as they bred, they got very aggressive to the goldies.


By the way, maybe I was just lucky, but my black mollies ate much more algae than the SAE did !   Too bad I had to move them to another tank, they were fantastic cleaners.  Now I also have to find a new crew.  I'm thinking about Amano Shrimps; there's a fair chance that the goldies will eat them, but maybe not.

[robt18]

I've probably got about 150 BN plecos right now.... definitely no algae around here haha.