Help! Please Take My Algae Eater - Southampton!

[newbyfishkeeper]

Here's hoping someone will be able to rehome my daughter's 'algae eater' sold to us as a fish who would live happily with our two fantails and one black moore. (Yes I did specifically ask if they'd be ok together). The sad truth two weeks later is that he has 'turned' and spends the days (and nights) terrorising the others. I initially wasn't sure if he could hurt them but having done some research I find that I need to get him out of there asap! So if anyone local can take him for me please get back to me as soon as you can.

Otherwise I'm at a loss to know what to do so any advice please! I don't have another tank to separate them so that's out. Could I take it back to the shop as they gave me the wrong advice? Obviously I'm not worried about getting a refund but would they take him because of the risk of disease from my tank? I'd hate to have to bring him back or worse still risk that they might do away with him?

Who'd have realised the weight of responsibilty brought by such little creatures!

HELP!!!!!

 

[doresy]

Maidenhead Aquatics in Fair Oak have always taken any troublesome fish from me without any problem. Better just to turn up with the fish in a bag rather than asking first, that way they compelled to help you and hopefully making you a future customer

 

[newbyfishkeeper]

Thanks very much for the advice. Do you really think they'll take her even though she didn't come from there? I'm not very good at cheaky requests like that normally, I am however desperate so I might have to give it a go! Goldie, Treasure and Bubbles are looking really panicked by the formerly cute but now pretty evil Mrs Mop! (All fish named by 7 year old owner)!

 

[fishnovice]

Thanks very much for the advice. Do you really think they'll take her even though she didn't come from there? I'm not very good at cheaky requests like that normally, I am however desperate so I might have to give it a go! Goldie, Treasure and Bubbles are looking really panicked by the formerly cute but now pretty evil Mrs Mop! (All fish named by 7 year old owner)!

if it's a Chinese algae eater (as distinct from a pleco) I would separate immediately as they can suck on and harm goldfish. No need for an aquarium - just get one of those cheap large semi-transparent plastic storage crates with lids for around £7 from DIYshops or Poundstretcher. They make great cheap hospital/quarantine/prison tanks! Use them myself for emergencies, can also store fish food,nets etc in them when not in use for fish. If you can't take Mrs Mop back to fish shop or rehome her, a large crate will do fine as a pemanent home for her. You may need a heater though, I have a feeling they are tropical fish. Please check, never had one.
WARNING -don't let fish shop swap or sell you a common plec instead as an algae eater. They grow to 18inches!You do NOT need an algae eater if you change water weekly and keep tank clean
Also, you can't keep tropical fish with goldfish which like cold water

 

[ladylouroll]

do you have a picture of the "algae eater" im in portsmouth maybe able to rehome dependant on fish species thanks.

 

[newbyfishkeeper]

Hi

Thanks to everyone who replied to my plea! Confirmation of my fears that Mrs Mop could really hurt the rest of the tank gang spurred me on and today I marched back into the shop Mrs Mop bagged in my hand and to my utter surprise I not only got a new home for Mrs Mop but also a refund, an apology and quizzed about which member of staff gave me duff advice! I was also surprised that she got popped straight back in with the others, I thought she might be put into quaranteen or something?

Next problem I mean project, choosing a filter for my new (2nd hand) upgrade tank. More duff advice from same shop had two fantails, a black moore and Mrs Mop living in 28 litres! Any suggestions for a filter? I'm getting the feeling from bits and bobs I've read seems to suggest the undergravel powerhead system it came with is maybe not worth bothering with? The new tank is 65 litres and yes I realise I will need to upgrade again soon (they are all still babies at the mo).

 

[ladylouroll]

ah glad they sorted it all out for you. rare thing these days LFS admitting when they messed up!