Malawis Need Algae?

[liv4evrordietryin!]

so i know that malawis need like plants in their diet and normally algae grows in tanks even when you don't want it to (i mean geez i have another tank that's just filled with algae no matter what i do ). But my rocks and glass and....well everything is still stubbornly lacking in algae . Any thoughts on what i should do, is algae even that important?

 

[Xebadir]

Make sure your fish are truly herbivourous before getting to keen on algae. The best way to induce further algae is to provide excess light, and excess nutrients: a small fertiliser dose in a well light tank will do wonders for algal growth(keep it under control though.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ferris]

Mbuna in particluar will happily graze on algae but it isn't essential with such a wide range of prepared foods available. Just ensure that you are regularly feeding them something with a high veggie content, especially Spirinula.

As Xebador says not all are herbivore's so research the dietary requirements of the fish you have.