Help with Algae in Betta tank!!!

[ebednarz]

My brother has a 5 gallon mini-bow tank with one male betta. He does consistant water changes, however, algae still seems to build up sometimes more than other times. Is there anything that you guys recommend that he could put into this tank to eat the algae. I was thinking Otto Cat, Golden Algae eaters. Don't know what will work with the Betta. I don't want the Betta killing anything or vica versa. Also, I want to make sure they will get along. Keep in mind it's a 5 gallon tank. Please, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-Erik

 

[gadazobe]

Do you have any plants in it? Also, how much light does it get? Try cutting down the light. Some plants would also help, they would use some of the nutrients produced instead of the algae.

 

[ebednarz]

He has several fake plants and two rocks. I don't think he'd go for real plants, but I'll ask him. By the way, he rarely uses the light. The fish gets enough light during the day. Thanks for the help.

 

[cherrylt04]

I've found that common plecos and several other pleco species, tend to not bother bettas, but be careful with the type of pleco you buy, some of them can grow very big, but in most cases they grow to the size of the tank they are in. One more thing, if you do get a pleco, have him a fake rock or something (large clam shell work great) that he can hide under if he wants to, plecos tend to like the hiding places. I hope I helped.

 

[LiquidLife]

I'm assuming that he does weekly water changes. He should wipe down the sides and the bottom (whenever he can) to get rid of the algae build up on the sides of the tank. I use paper towels so I can toss out the algae instead of just pushing it around (or reusing a sponge with algae spores in it). The algae will start to regrow by the end of the week but if he consistently wipes down the sides when he does water changes, he should be able to keep it under control.

 

[wherryj]

Our betta seems to get along with an otocinclus that we recently put into his 2 gallon tank.

I wouldn't worry about the betta in this situation in any case. They only grow to 1.5 to 2 inches-hardly a worry to a betta.

 

[wherryj]

For LARGER tanks, a good choice may be a Spotted Raphael Catfish. Keep in mind that this fish can grow to 8 inches, so a larger tank is needed.

This is a rather peaceful fish (unless the fish you put in fit into it's mouth, ie: under 1.5 inches), but is robust.

We have one in a tank with 10 rather pesky barbs. He seems to be able to hold off ALL of them simultaneously when fighting for a sinking catfish pellet. It may have something to do with the rows of barbs that run along his sides. I've even heard that these fish can hold their own against even large Oscars and Jack Dempseys!

It's also a very cool looking fish: black with white/yellow polka dots. It looks quite a bit like a nurse shark, and swims in a very similar manner.

 

[DizzyDezzy]

For a 5 gallon, you would probably only be able to put in an otto or at most two... How about some ramshorn snails or ghost shrimp? they are pretty good algae eaters from what I have heard.

 

[cherrylt04]

Ramhorn are good algea eaters, but they don't only eat algea they are savengers and eat dead fish, live plants, left over food, fish waste, and fish eggs. Actually they like freeze dried shrimp too. So you'll need to suppliment their diets. And they tend to multiply alot, dunno know how they manage too being the only one in the tank but they do. Hoped I help.


Peace,
DPS

 

[smudge]

I heard most snails are a-sexual so you only need 1 and they will multiply.

If the tank is in an area where it gets lots of natural light that could be the problem. If a lot of direct sunlight shines on the tank you will get lots of algae.

 

[Kryten]

I have 4 platys in my tank who just love to suck up algae in the tank. I would recommend platys, as they are non aggressive towards the betta who lives in there now, and they don't require too much space either