algae eaters

[Mr_Spangle]

i've seen loads of different types of algae eating fish but which will stay the smallest? cus i've only got enough room for 15gallon tanks.any suggestions?also needs to be relatively friendly
thanx 4 any help

 

[Cheese Specialist]

otos are small and they eat algae. They need to be in groups, however and do better in planted tanks.

 

[Fish Buddy]

I concur, they grow to about an inch and are very friendly (ie. not chasing other fish around). They do a very good job at cleaning the aglea in tight corners too (like plant leaves). I have 6 and I always recomend them at my petstore
Cheap too: 1.99 at petsmart

 

[Nina7777]

I also agree with the oto's.
Their pretty much the only kind that stays small

 

[noelberg]

yes otos are great but with otos, you need groups, so three 2" otos = 6 inches of fish if you buy into the whole inch/gallon rule. this is a downside if you want 2 extra neons or an extra danio, etc. So if you're not looking forward to 3 fish, then get a rubbernose, bristlenose, or other small pleco. Otos are probably easier to find than some mini plecs though.

 

[bunjiweb]

The Inch/gallon rule is crap on the whole.

Not every fish the same length produces the same ammount of waste and needs the same ammount of space.

Best way i find is to put the groups of fish in one at a time and if they addapt or thrive in one area of the tank you know roughly how much space your other fish can have to make their own bit of terratory.

If you get me

Ben

 

[Cheese Specialist]

yes otos are great but with otos, you need groups, so three 2" otos = 6 inches of fish if you buy into the whole inch/gallon rule. this is a downside if you want 2 extra neons or an extra danio, etc. So if you're not looking forward to 3 fish, then get a rubbernose, bristlenose, or other small pleco. Otos are probably easier to find than some mini plecs though.

I agree with bunji, the inch per gallon thing is nonsense.

You just suggested a small plec which will cause loads more waste than 3 otos!! It should be judged on parameters and how much room the fish have and also what space those fish occupy.

 

[smithrc]

otos would be great... but they cat just drop dead randomly (as i've found out )

 

[noelberg]

yes otos are great but with otos, you need groups, so three 2" otos = 6 inches of fish if you buy into the whole inch/gallon rule. this is a downside if you want 2 extra neons or an extra danio, etc. So if you're not looking forward to 3 fish, then get a rubbernose, bristlenose, or other small pleco. Otos are probably easier to find than some mini plecs though.

I agree with bunji, the inch per gallon thing is nonsense.

You just suggested a small plec which will cause loads more waste than 3 otos!! It should be judged on parameters and how much room the fish have and also what space those fish occupy.

I've never noticed my rubbernose leaving loads of crap. He's probably one of the cleanest fish in the tank. A 3" adult pleco isn't going to throw out as much crap as a common pleco, and will probably leave as much or less crap than 3-4 otos.

And I was just trying to suggest alternatives. I have a hard time finding Otos in my area. I also said "if" you buy into the 1"/gallon rule ...

jeesh, I'm not trying to commit Oto genocide here people.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

yes otos are great but with otos, you need groups, so three 2" otos = 6 inches of fish if you buy into the whole inch/gallon rule. this is a downside if you want 2 extra neons or an extra danio, etc. So if you're not looking forward to 3 fish, then get a rubbernose, bristlenose, or other small pleco. Otos are probably easier to find than some mini plecs though.

I agree with bunji, the inch per gallon thing is nonsense.

You just suggested a small plec which will cause loads more waste than 3 otos!! It should be judged on parameters and how much room the fish have and also what space those fish occupy.

I've never noticed my rubbernose leaving loads of crap. He's probably one of the cleanest fish in the tank. A 3" adult pleco isn't going to throw out as much crap as a common pleco, and will probably leave as much or less crap than 3-4 otos.

And I was just trying to suggest alternatives. I have a hard time finding Otos in my area. I also said "if" you buy into the 1"/gallon rule ...

jeesh, I'm not trying to commit Oto genocide here people.

Didn't say you were. Don't know where you got that from.

Was just exaplaining that what you said did not make sense even if you do follow the inch per gallon rule.

A plec is much bigger all round than an oto, not just in length but in width and height. A bigger fish causes more waste. Also, rubber nosed plecs get bigger than 3", more like 6".

 

[Mr_Spangle]

thanx guys. i'd never actually heard of the oto. probably cus i live in england.none of the local shops have any (damn english shops!) but im gonna place an order at a specialist fish store.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

thanx guys. i'd never actually heard of the oto. probably cus i live in england.none of the local shops have any (damn english shops!) but im gonna place an order at a specialist fish store.

I got mine at Pets At Home, they are also available 5 for £5 at trimar.co.uk

 

[smithrc]

thanx guys. i'd never actually heard of the oto. probably cus i live in england.none of the local shops have any (damn english shops!) but im gonna place an order at a specialist fish store.

update your location... loads of places round me have them (i'll be getting some more tomorrow to replace the casualties