Chinese Algae Eater

[MtbGirl]

About a week ago, my husband & I bought a 7-gallon tank for my son from Petsmart. We stocked it as listed in my signature, except that we also had an African Dwarf Frog in there.

The salesgirl did not tell us the tank was on the cusp of being overstocked, and the frog died as a result. Also, she told us not to worry about Herbie, the Chinese Algae Eater, getting aggressive.

Now I've been reading a lot on this forum that Herbie will grow bigger and get aggressive/territorial. My son is attached to Herbie and does not want to give him up.

Petsmart told us we would be able to return Herbie when he was too big and exchange him for a smaller one, but my husband was wondering if we could keep Herbie in his own tank, rather than return him, and then get another algae eater as per Nmonks' recommendations in "Beginner Questions."

Is this a good idea?? What size tank would be good for Herbie, and what kind of supplies would he need in the tank??

 

[pica_nuttalli]

probably a 15g for just Herbie, but if you went significantly larger (say 30-40g) then it might be possible to keep the entire community together.

except for snails and shrimps, there is no algae eater suitable for a 7g tank.

 

[4ftguppy]

except for snails and shrimps, there is no algae eater suitable for a 7g tank.

what about ottocinclus affinis (might be spelled incorrectly)

They are tiny algae eaters , and by far the best for a small tank

On the other hand, if you can get plants growing well, they will use all the nutrients and prevent the need for algae eaters. (Unless you overfeed, in strong sunlight)

 

[MtbGirl]

Thanks to both of you... we were trying to start my son off simple, as this is his first experience with fish and we didn't want to go too overboard, not knowing how he would handle the responsibility. So far he's doing well, who knows if we will expand the tank someday.

For now we're keeping the 7-gallons, when Herbie is too big we'll look into trading him (something I want to confirm with Petsmart once more) and getting a snail or otto, as suggested.

Thanks!!


EDIT: we have fake plants in the tank, right now we're not up to keeping up with real ones!!! We're trying to keep things as simple as we can at this point.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

i hate to say this but I don't think a 15g is gonna be anywhere near big enough for herbie. he can get to 12inches+

not sure if he's technically a catfish, but theres a really good article here about working out tank dimensions for big catfish, I reckon it'd give you a reasonable guideline.

I'd go for some amano shrimp as your algae eaters, they're excellent at it, only grow to an inch or so long and are very cool. Sure you and your son would love them, plus they're cheap cheap

 

[MtbGirl]

I'd go for some amano shrimp as your algae eaters, they're excellent at it, only grow to an inch or so long and are very cool. Sure you and your son would love them, plus they're cheap cheap

I'm starting to think the salesgirl at Petsmart was not very reliable, but she advised us against getting shrimp. Are they hard to take care of?? We had dismissed this possibility because of her advice.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I'd go for some amano shrimp as your algae eaters, they're excellent at it, only grow to an inch or so long and are very cool. Sure you and your son would love them, plus they're cheap cheap

I'm starting to think the salesgirl at Petsmart was not very reliable, but she advised us against getting shrimp. Are they hard to take care of?? We had dismissed this possibility because of her advice.

she probably wasn't..... I've been keeping fish for about 5 yrs now and when I go to petshops I cringe at half the advice I hear people getting, sure a lot of people on here would agree. just yesterday in an lfs I heard some teenage sales kid advising a couple to get brand new filter media after just a week of having the tank!!! The old stuff wouldn't even be cycled yet let alone mature or needing changing, if they did it there's a fair chance they'd kill loads of they're fish

some shrimp can be sensitive and may nip at your fish.... amano's shouldn't. They eat algae and will do a wonderful job helping to clean your tank, they're non agressive and really cute. there's some good info on them here

there's a pinned topic on this site for probably everything you need to know, they're always worth a look through

 

[MtbGirl]

Thanks, I'll keep the shrimp in mind as well.

I have noticed there is a wealth of information on this site, problem is I don't have a lot of time to read thru everything but I do try. I appreciate everyone's help and advice... especially when it seems I was off to a bad start thanks to the Petsmart girl!! Nice to know others have been there and can help us avoid future mistakes.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Thanks, I'll keep the shrimp in mind as well.

I have noticed there is a wealth of information on this site, problem is I don't have a lot of time to read thru everything but I do try. I appreciate everyone's help and advice... especially when it seems I was off to a bad start thanks to the Petsmart girl!! Nice to know others have been there and can help us avoid future mistakes.

no problem

have you used the search function on here yet, it's really good, you can search the whole site, or particular sections and filter it by who's written it so it can be a good time saving tool.

yeah absolutely, we all make mistakes especially when given bad advice, I shudder to think of what I put in my first tank

you obviously care for the fishes and want to do the right thing so just keep reading and asking and you'll soon have things turned around and running well in no time.................. you'll probably have a few more tanks in no time as well!! Multiple Tank Syndrome is catching and a fair few of us on here have it

 

[MtbGirl]

Yep, I definitely want to do the right thing... not just because I am an animal lover, but I want to save my son from the heartache of losing his beloved pets!! My husband & I are trying to learn as much as we can, so we can teach our little one the best way to take care of his fish.

I don't know about multiple tanks, but expanding the tank someday seems to definitely be an option. Right now we'd rather wait and see how our little guy handles the fish, are they a novelty or does he really want to take care of them?? Only time will tell...





Hmm... this is a little off-topic, but Miss Wiggle, shouldn't your siggy say "She who dies with the most fish wins??"

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Yep, I definitely want to do the right thing... not just because I am an animal lover, but I want to save my son from the heartache of losing his beloved pets!! My husband & I are trying to learn as much as we can, so we can teach our little one the best way to take care of his fish.

I don't know about multiple tanks, but expanding the tank someday seems to definitely be an option. Right now we'd rather wait and see how our little guy handles the fish, are they a novelty or does he really want to take care of them?? Only time will tell...





Hmm... this is a little off-topic, but Miss Wiggle, shouldn't your siggy say "She who dies with the most fish wins??"

well your going about it all the right way, and Im sure it'll teach your little one some valuable skills. Soon as I have kids they'll have tanks.

ha ha ha ha ha, i think my shoes obsession is just about still beating my fish obsession...... I've about 50 pairs of shoes, and I'm just off to buy our 7th and 8th tanks.... will have well over 50 fish though.

 

[GuppyDude]

I have a medium chinese alge eater that iv had for a year now, he thinks he's a cory. Iv heard some horid storys about these fish but iv yet to witness any kind of carnage.