Algae Eaters

[pastabake]

Ottos prefer to be in groups and will be more active in a group. I have 1 in a 45ltr tank and I hardly ever see it while the 2 I have in a 70ltr and the 4 in the 125ltr are all very active and playful. I never feed my ottos, there is always enough algae for them to live on - and if not they could always have some of the Corys food - though I don't ever see them going for it. They cost ~£2.00 each. I don't know how long they live.

 

[Queen oF The Gravel]

Thankyou for your coments. I guess i wont be getting otto's any times soon as i dont intend to get rid of my fantails untill they have over grown my tank. I Wout really like a small plec, I know they can grow up to 4" but i dont think that would be a problem in my tank as it is no were near over crowded. There is a few live plants ( around 7) some bog wood and a large stone, there is plenty of open space and i have no other bottom dwelers for it to compeat with. The fish i do have are no bigger that 2.5" and the smallest are about 1" (They spent most of their time swimming at the top or speeding around the Foliage.

Do you think a pleco could be the way to go?

***Spend*** lol sorry!

 

[eskcarr]

You will be better off removing the salt with regular water changes. Doing large ones could cause large swings in the pH, Gh & KH of the water and stress the fish even more. As far as algae eaters are concerned, as mentioned, steer clear of Chinese algae eaters. They do become very aggressive as they get older and actually eat very little algae. Siamese algae eaters are very good as are the otos previously mentioned. There are some species of plecos that will work, such as the bristlenose that was mentioned. Before buying a pleco, make sure you check the adult size of them as some such as common plecs grow way too large for your tank.

If you do decide to go with the SAEs, make sure you get true SAEs and not one of the 2 similar fish that are sometimes mislabeled. Here is a link to the species thread on them and it has a description of all 3.

No salt!!! No salt!!!! Please!!!!!