RandomWiktor
Rabid Betta Activist
Greetings -
I used to have a lovely Chinese Algae Eater who I unfortunately did not research enough about before buying
; I was told by the store that they were peaceful community fish who would do fine in a 5g tank with my betta. By the time I realized how wrong that advice was, he had permenant damage from hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Still, despite the resulting neurological issues, he lived for three years, first in a 10g (inadequate, yes I know) and then in a 30g (better). He unfortunately passed on this year, which made me very sad as he was only 3, which I hear is pretty lousy for their lifespan. I think it was because of the hydrogen sulfide poisoning, which from what I hear has nasty long-term side effects, but I want to make sure I didn't do anything else wrong by the end of his days, when he was best cared for. So, I'm going to detail what I did for him in the 30g and intend to do for the new guy. If anyone can offer additional pointers, that would be awesome, because I'm supposed to be adopting one from a friend who has the poor guy in an unfiltered 2g as soon as my cycle finishes.
The tank I am going to keep him in is a standard-sized 30g (no tank mates). It has a HOB filter that seemed to work pretty well with my last fish, and a large air strip and bubbler rated for greater gallonage (I think 50g). The substrate is a very fine gravel since they seem to like burrowing, and I have a few fake "rock" caves and plenty of plastic and silk plants (I seem to murder live plants). I am doing a fishless cycle that is progressing well using filter media from my goldfish tank (also done as a fishless cycle), so I shouldn't need advice on that as it is going - no pun intended - swimmingly.
However, does anyone have any tips on more general care? For example, in the past, I think the pH has been too high for CAEs (my water is ridiculously base), so I have it at about 7 using pH reducing products, which I know aren't the safest, but its the best I can do given my stupid tap water. Is this Ok? Should it be higher/lower?
I also have the temp at a pretty steady 78, as the tank is in a temperature controlled room that stays the same temp year round. This is the temp I use for my bettas, but I do not know if it is great for CAEs, as I see a lot of mixed answers on the proper temp for the species.
Also, for diet, I have an herbivore bottom feeder pellet, a carnivore bottom feeder pellet (both by Hikari), and will suppliment with fresh leafy greens and cucumber. Is this OK? I know CAEs are omnivorous, and Reebum (RIP) loved all of these foods. However, seeing as he died, I want to make sure diet had nothing to do with it.
Thanks, and any additional husbandry tips would be great. Aside from, "Oh god, don't buy them!" there isn't much advice on these poor little guys out there.
I used to have a lovely Chinese Algae Eater who I unfortunately did not research enough about before buying
; I was told by the store that they were peaceful community fish who would do fine in a 5g tank with my betta. By the time I realized how wrong that advice was, he had permenant damage from hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Still, despite the resulting neurological issues, he lived for three years, first in a 10g (inadequate, yes I know) and then in a 30g (better). He unfortunately passed on this year, which made me very sad as he was only 3, which I hear is pretty lousy for their lifespan. I think it was because of the hydrogen sulfide poisoning, which from what I hear has nasty long-term side effects, but I want to make sure I didn't do anything else wrong by the end of his days, when he was best cared for. So, I'm going to detail what I did for him in the 30g and intend to do for the new guy. If anyone can offer additional pointers, that would be awesome, because I'm supposed to be adopting one from a friend who has the poor guy in an unfiltered 2g as soon as my cycle finishes.The tank I am going to keep him in is a standard-sized 30g (no tank mates). It has a HOB filter that seemed to work pretty well with my last fish, and a large air strip and bubbler rated for greater gallonage (I think 50g). The substrate is a very fine gravel since they seem to like burrowing, and I have a few fake "rock" caves and plenty of plastic and silk plants (I seem to murder live plants). I am doing a fishless cycle that is progressing well using filter media from my goldfish tank (also done as a fishless cycle), so I shouldn't need advice on that as it is going - no pun intended - swimmingly.
However, does anyone have any tips on more general care? For example, in the past, I think the pH has been too high for CAEs (my water is ridiculously base), so I have it at about 7 using pH reducing products, which I know aren't the safest, but its the best I can do given my stupid tap water. Is this Ok? Should it be higher/lower?
I also have the temp at a pretty steady 78, as the tank is in a temperature controlled room that stays the same temp year round. This is the temp I use for my bettas, but I do not know if it is great for CAEs, as I see a lot of mixed answers on the proper temp for the species.
Also, for diet, I have an herbivore bottom feeder pellet, a carnivore bottom feeder pellet (both by Hikari), and will suppliment with fresh leafy greens and cucumber. Is this OK? I know CAEs are omnivorous, and Reebum (RIP) loved all of these foods. However, seeing as he died, I want to make sure diet had nothing to do with it.
Thanks, and any additional husbandry tips would be great. Aside from, "Oh god, don't buy them!" there isn't much advice on these poor little guys out there.
I really don't mind having spacious places for my animals to live, even if more could fit and make it more interesting for me to look at. Thanks for the tip though 
