Dead algae eater

[atarango]

My SAE Groucho died a rather violent and suddent death over this last weekend and week- Grouch started by thrashing around the tank constanly for about a week, which he does do on occasion- and then one day I just found him belly-up in the tank. This has surprised me because this tank has been stable for a long time- its a 5 gallon and Grouch lived with a couple of danios. I got him about 2 years ago, when i really knew nothing about fish keeping, rather accidently, and he did grow to be too big for the tank.

Anyway first question- should i be worried that it has something to do with the tank- meaning should i be concerned for my danios? They seem fine- they school happily all day long. And second question- what should i replace Groucho with? I don't want to get anothe SAE because well he just got too big, but I would like some other form of scum eater to help keep the tank clean.....

Thanks
-Angela

 

[platypus]

Hi atarango,

Sorry you lost the little fella. Do you know what your water conditions are like? Do you have testers for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate? Poor water conditions are most often to blame for ill/dying fish so that may explain things.

A few other questions that might help to explain it: How often do you do water changes? How often do you feed your fishies and with what?

Hmm as for your second question, all the bottom feeders I can think of, corys or plecos e.g, either should be kept in groups or grow too big for your tank. I'm sure someone else will have the answer for you though as I am definitely no expert!

 

[Lateral Line]

Agreed, let's eliminate the obvious first - the water conditions.

 

[atarango]

Okay well i haven't tested the water yet- I have to go out today and buy my dog a new collar so I can get a water test kit at the same time- I can tell you that I change 1/3 of the water every two weeks- its a whisper filter so i change the cartridge as it gets icky (2-3) weeks. The tank has been stable with the same danios and (the now deceased algae eater) for a year and a half. I've not had any other fish disease problems, no algae problems- etc. I feel the danios with a tropical crisp-flake food, and i fed the algae eater every 3 days half an algae pellet. (He would sneak some of the danios food regularly too and eat scuz off the bottom)
-A

 

[KnuckleHead]

One thing I noticed is that you said you change the filter cartridge quite often. I wouldnt recommnd doing this sice thats where alot your bacteria live. You can remove it and clean it in the discarded water during water changes. As soon as your sure your water is normal again try getting some otos to tackle your algae. They stay very small ane are cute little buggers.

 

[AquaNut]

I agree 100% with what Knucklehead said. Don't keep replacing your filter insert; just rinse it.

I have three otos in a five gallon tank with a betta and they're happy, active, and cute as can be.