Chinese Algae Eaters

[Jallen]

I have 2 Chinese algae eaters, both are small (1 inch), very quick, and devour algae at an insane rate.
I've read that they get to about 5 inches in the aquarium, but for now they do the trick of removing algae.

I have 5 tiger barbs, 5 kuhli loaches, 2 Julii corydoras and 1 praecox rainbow in with them.

I doubt that the chinese algae eaters will be quick enough to attatch to the sides of any of my fish, but i fear for my Julii corys.
How long will it be before these fish start to get aggressive, and how long will it take them to grow?
Thanks.

 

[nosoup4you]

These guys grow very quickly and can turn aggressive before you know what's happening. They are also very quick and would have no problems killing any of the fish that you have if they are so inclined...I'd try to re-home them before hey decide that algae is not enough.

 

[Jallen]

Ok. I think i'll put them in an unheated goldfish tank (with no goldfish in it) since i read on wikipedia that they can actually live at 15 degrees C, and my house temperature is about 21C.

 

[SharonCC]

I'd get rid of them...I'm told they are a problem at 3inches, but I wouldn't care to test that theory.

 

[Jallen]

I think you guys are right... It's not worth risking the other members of the tank.

I'll try phoning some of my LFS's at the weekend and see if they will buy them. If they won't buy them, i'll ask if they want them for free.

 

[nosoup4you]

Perhaps you could swap them for something less prone to sucking the scales off of your fish like Otos or a Bristlenose cat...

 

[Jallen]

Perhaps you could swap them for something less prone to sucking the scales off of your fish like Otos or a Bristlenose cat...

I'm moving them to a coldwater tank and getting otos.
I thought they were otos when i got them, but luckily enough the lfs has otos as well.
A bristlenose would be really cool, but unforuntately i haven't seen one in any of the lfs's. I recently heard about a more recently bred plec which grows to 4 inches, and is really hardy, so if i can, i'll look out for one of them.