Need Good Algae Eater

[PamelaDee]

I need a few good algae eaters. I would like something that doesn't mind being in a small group and that can clean a 90 gallon. In my tank there are 2 gouramis, 1 angelfish, 2 Chinese algae eaters (will be leaving), 6 cories, 2 knifefish, 4 neon tetras, and 3 black neon tetras. I think the Chinese Algae eaters are eating my plants and they definitely are not doing a good job with the algae! Thanks!

[vince0]

bristlenose plecos would work well with that tank, keep to themselves, great algea eater, non aggressive, and they look pretty cool when they come out. you could also look at otocinclus cats, although they are not as hardy as the bristlenose pleco.

[PamelaDee]

Thanks I am going to do some research on the Bristlenose.

[thegrandpoohbah]

What type of algae do you have? That will determine which algae eater would be most suitable.

[PamelaDee]

From what I can find it might be brown hair algae and then just the green kind that builds up on the glass!:laugh: How's that for an answer! The brown hair algae is just on the plants.

[Namor]

PamalaDee,

If you guy's are interested in any BN's feel free to PM me.
I'll be taking another batch to the SAS meeting this Sunday, as well as putting some up for sale on the auction here.

[vince0]

for the hair algea, you may want to consider american flagfish. the males have beautiful colors, and they do a very nice job all things considered on the hair algea on plants. only thing to worry about is that the males get a little territorial when they breed, but you can get around that by just getting females, or males :P

[CACAdmin]

Bristlenose plecos scrub the glass as do snails like Diffusa and Nerites. Not sure who eats the hair algae.:confused:

[Ursus sapien]

Siamese algae eaters work best on hair algae

[vince0]

are the siamese the true algea eater? i know thers a few species that are called algea eaters, but they tend to be aggressive and don't actually eat algea lol

[thegrandpoohbah]

are the siamese the true algea eater? i know thers a few species that are called algea eaters, but they tend to be aggressive and don't actually eat algea lol
Here's a good read for you: http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/. What you want are true Siamese Algae Eaters, Crossocheilus siamensis.

[Ursus sapien]

are the siamese the true algea eater? i know thers a few species that are called algea eaters, but they tend to be aggressive and don't actually eat algea lol
yes, only the 'true' SAE eats hair or bush algae. of course, they get to be something like 15 cm and like to be in groups of 6 or more, but, hey, you know, they eat hair algae :-)

[PamelaDee]

They are Chinese algae eaters. I don't think I have ever seen them on the glass but have seen them on my plants! But of course not the plants with the hair algae! The larger one is a bit aggressive but they are VERY fast so I am having A LOT of problems trying to catch them!
I did get 4 BN's and I know for sure I still have 1... haven't seen the rest but there are a lot of hiding places.
Those flag fish seem interesting. I still have to do more reading on them... and find some. I don't think I have ever seen them in the pet stores.

[Namor]

One thing I've noticed about BN's being moved into a new tank is, how elusive they can be (particularly in the first few days).

Hopefully they're just hiding out, and will be more active one they are settled in. :yes:

[PamelaDee]

One thing I've noticed about BN's being moved into a new tank is, how elusive they can be (particularly in the first few days).

Hopefully they're just hiding out, and will be more active one they are settled in. :yes:

I seen the 2 albinos yesterday and one of the brown guys today, so I'm sure they are in there! I can already notice a difference on the glass so they are doing their job!

[CACAdmin]

They love to come out at night and get busy scrubbing.

[Melody]

They are Chinese algae eaters. I don't think I have ever seen them on the glass but have seen them on my plants! But of course not the plants with the hair algae! The larger one is a bit aggressive but they are VERY fast so I am having A LOT of problems trying to catch them!

Chinese Algae Eaters are different than Siamese Algae Eaters (Siamensis). There's a lot of confusion surrounding the informal group. CAE's can get aggressive as they age. My SAE's never bother anyone, other than the occasional nudge at feeding time. What's more, I really like the looks of them.

This is one of my SAE's as a youngster:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-Siamensis2.jpg

[PamelaDee]

Wow great pic! How big do they get?

[Melody]

Thanks Pamela - they're very photogenic and always catch my eye in the tank. I think in captivity they top out at 4-5". Mine are around 4", I would guess. They do have more aggressive imposters so it's important to know what you're looking for. Many store owners go by whatever they're labelled. The easiest way for me to spot them is the black stripe - in Siamensis it goes clear into the tail. I ordered them from April's Aquarium and was a little nervous about the ID, but she knew the difference and I got what I wanted.

[jewels]

From what I can find it might be brown hair algae and then just the green kind that builds up on the glass!:laugh: How's that for an answer! The brown hair algae is just on the plants.
Often a result of accumilating sulphate/ides. Try a good gravel vacc'ing
One thing I've noticed about BN's being moved into a new tank is, how elusive they can be (particularly in the first few days).

Hopefully they're just hiding out, and will be more active one they are settled in. :yes:
With a larger ' common' Pl*co in the tank it was almost a full YEAR before I started seeing my wild caught Peruvian BN on a daily basis

O' and did you think I could post without mentioning Ameca's ?
Not a good fit with the current occupants - although it is the only fish I have ever seen that will eat BGA

[Melody]

Posting a pic of the Siamensis in the photo section reminded me of this thread - have you decided on a course of action yet? I like hearing about how the different creatures do with the different algae species. Someday we may be able to devise a reasonably accurate chart that shows what will eat which. :Smile:

[PamelaDee]

Posting a pic of the Siamensis in the photo section reminded me of this thread - have you decided on a course of action yet? I like hearing about how the different creatures do with the different algae species. Someday we may be able to devise a reasonably accurate chart that shows what will eat which. :Smile:Going by my memory (which isn't good) I ended up trading some of my driftwood for 3 SAE or "flying foxes" and got 4 BN's from Namor. I've seen the 2 Albinos quite often, even during the day, and they are doing fantastic work on the glass. The other two, I haven't seen for weeks! The "flying foxes" have been doing great work on the lily that was really covered with what I think was brown hair algae. I have rehomed the Chinese algae eaters and the plants are finallly looking good. The SAE I got were from a "reliable source" I think....looked like your picture....strip through the eye and rest kind of one the back fins. All is happy...except now my gouramis hide! Maybe from the more open front. Anyhow, life has been crazy lately so it's time I focus on my fishy again!

[Melody]

Flying Foxes can be aggressive - they're another Siamensis look-a-like. Hopefully you got the Siamensis and won't have to worry. The BN's will serve you well. Sounds like you have a great team working for you. :yes:

[Namor]

I've seen the 2 Albinos quite often, even during the day, and they are doing fantastic work on the glass. The other two, I haven't seen for weeks!

One thing I've noticed the last few months is, the albino's do seem to be "out and about" more often (and easier to net). Both parents are white-tipped browns, and I've only seen "momma" a couple of times in the last year. :rolleyes: