Improving Conditions For Cae In Undersized Tank

[RandomWiktor]

I am the owner of a 1 year old Chinese Algae Eater. When I bought him, I admit I behaved very stupidly and did not do my research; I listened to the store, which said it was a "community fish" that could be kept in 10 gallons and would only grow to 4-5 inches. I have since learned that they are an aggressive species that should be kept singly or with fish who can fend for themselves, and certainly require more than 10 gallons. I am also under the impression that they grow to more in the range of 7-10in.
My parents are presently refusing to allow me to upgrade this animal's tank size. I am working on convincing him that he needs more space to live a full lifespan, and I am hoping to buy him a more suitable environment with my Christmas money. I can not buy it sooner as space is the issue, and until my sister moves out early January, we have no space for a larger tank. (Literally; every flat surface in this house is covered with aquariums right now.)

So, I have some questions:
- What would be the minimum tank size that a single Chinese algae eater with no tankmates could be kept in? I've read anything from 20-40 gallons, but if he only grows to ~ 10 inches, wouldn't a 20 be sufficient?
- What can I do to improve his water quality in the tank he is in? So far, he has not suffered from elevated ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, but the tank is always very "swampy" seeming by the end of the week. I have added an additional filter, so he now has two filters equipped for a 10 gal (total 20gal filtering capacity). I have also added a strong bubbler.
- How many times a week should he be cleaned, being in an undersized tank? He currently gets significant weekly water changes, but it seems to me that it is probably causing undue stress. However, it absolutely needs a major cleaning weekly, or the water is disgusting. I'm taking this as a sign that he needs to be cleaned more often, but I do not know how often would be beneficial, and how often would be stressful.

Thankyou so much. I realize I've messed up, both by buying him, and by keeping him in insufficient conditions. However, I believe that pets are a lifetime responsibility, so I refuse to just get rid of him; he WILL get the tank he needs. I am just looking for ways to keep him healthy until then.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Afraid I can't help you much; I made the same mistake in my young days, but did not have the nous to sort it out. Let me just say how much I like reading about your CAE, because you are obviously taking a very responsible attitude towards a fish that nobody likes much (not his fault, poor fellow). Good on you!

Keep us updated on your solution. It should be possible to have a cool-looking species tank with him; after all, how many people have actually seen a fully-grown, well looked after CAE? Bit of a rarity, if you ask
me.

For the time being, are you sure that twice-weekly medium water changes would stress him out (edit: I wrote 'stress you out', bit of a Freudian slip, that)?

 

[Tolak]

Do water changes more often, changing water & routine maintainance shouldn't cause stress. Find a piece of something aquarium safe for him to hide in while you do water changes, pvc pipe works well.

Try dropping a smal powerhead into the bottom of the tank, this will help keep debris off the bottom, letting the filters take care of it.

If you are near Chicago, I'll be getting rid of a few 20 highs in a week or two. They have a 24"x12" footprint, compared to a 10 gallon at 20"x 10". 2 inches one way, 4 inches the other gives you double the tank.

Tolak

 

[RandomWiktor]

Tolak - thanks for the offer, but alas - I'm far away. The price of getting a new tank isn't too much of an issue anyways; its the size. I'm afriad I have a ton of animals living in my house, and we've simply run out of space for a larger aquarium; his barely fits where it is anyways. Once my sis moves out, I'll have room for ALL of my fish in her room. Its just the wait until then that had me worried.
I'm def. going to look into a power head. The extra filter I added really has his activity up. I turned up the bubbler as well and he seems to enjoy that.

On both reccomendations at this forum, I'll increase the frequency of cleaning, and look into a power-head. They both sound like good ideas.

If they can be kept to adulthood in a 20-30g, which seems to be the case if they are completely alone based on what I've read, I think I'd like to have many of these one day. They are absolutely beautiful, and such interesting, agressive fish! I bet I'd have no problem finding people willing to surrender them to me. Methinks that in the future, when I'm living on my own and have enough pay to accomodate the # of tanks, I might look into "rescuing" these guys from aquarists tricked into buying them.

Thanks for the support and help. I'll keep you posted - hopefully with a pic of his new tank soon!
For now, here's a pic of him hanging out on a rock in his tank before I re-did it. He's gotten a tad bigger, and has developed slightly different markings, since this was taken ~ 4 months ago.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Good luck with this, I'd love to have a CAE tank I'm not sure how active they are, if they don't move much I'd say anything over 24'' is good, but get the lowest and widest you can.

 

[dwarfgourami]

He looks good! You can see even in that picture that he's changing from juvenile shape and markings. Keep us updated- I want to see what he's like when he's a big boy.