Florida Flag Fish

[rdd1952]

One of the LFS has started stocking these. They are pretty fish and from what I have read, great algae eaters comparable to SAEs. Has anyone had any first hand experience with them as to how good they are at keeping algae in check and also how hardy they are? I would really like to try them in my 29 gallon.

 

[sylvia]

These are lovely little killlis and make me think of what would come of hybridizing cichlids and platies They are good at keeping down algae but I wouldn't say they are quite as good as SAEs as they preffer ordinary fish foods to algae. When they aren't being fed though, they will deffinately keep algae in check to an extent. Anyway, I don't think the real value of these fish is in their eating habits - I love them because of their character. Males are the brightly colored ones and females can sometimes be difficult to get hold of but it is generaly best to get several females and one male as males are territorial and somewhat aggressive. It is in this sense that they remind me of cichlids but the fact that they are also peaceful towards other fish, and their general habits, makes me think 'platy' . Realy, they do best in a heavily planted tank. Either as a single pair or as a (mixed) group of at least 6 to spread out aggression. IME these are very hardy fish and would do very well in anything from a 5 gallon (alone though) and deffinately in your 29. I would say go for it - they are great little fish, full of character, have useful eating habits, are very interesting behaviour-wise and if you manage to get a male and female you can breed them quite easily as well.

 

[rdd1952]

I may try to get a pair then. I really don't have room for 6 as that would put my a little heavy on stocking especially since I really need to get a couple more corys since I lost some recently. I haven't been in that store in a week. I hope they still have some.

 

[squirrelrabbits]

I recently bought six (2 males, 4 females) and they are in a tank with some loaches, tiger barbs, and a lone gourami (though before that they were also in with some rainbowfish and some danios). I have seen no aggression. I got them to eat up my hair algae and because I also liked the looks of them. They are a pretty outgoing fish and have gotten along with everything they've been placed with. They are eating the hair algae... but they definitely see it as secondary to the actual dinner I feed the other fish. As algae eaters, I give them a B+. As good all-around citizens, I give them a A+.

 

[rdd1952]

Thanks to both of you for your replys. I like the look of them too. I feel certain I will probably get some.

 

[yvez9]

i got a male and 3 females

they did a great job on the hair algea in my tank! But like it was said before, if i feed them flaked or frozen, they won't eat algea. They eat algea as a last resort, but they do eat alot though!

they are awesome fish. Always swimming around and they keep to themselves. The male is always trying to breed with one fo the females i guess, but nothing agressive, just a bit of chasing around for a few minutes

I love these fish!!

 

[troutfly]

http/www.millevolte.com/nativefish02.html

This site has a great picture of one for those wondering what the fish looks like and a brief discription follows.

Just don't mistakenly buy a Flag Fish they get up to a foot long where as the American Flag Fish stays around 4 inches, that would be a big mistake....

 

[rdd1952]

Just don't mistakenly buy a Flag Fish they get up to a foot long where as the American Flag Fish stays around 4 inches, that would be a big mistake

I started to list American Flag Fish in the topic title but it seems that most people know these as Florida FF instead of American and I was afraid of not getting any responses. Thanks for the clarification.