Need Help Picking Out A Algae Eater

[Durbkat]

In my 10g the corys are doing a good job eating uneaten food but now brown algae is showing up on the gravel and not even a single ray of light touchs the tank but the algae is there. So I need a algae eater to eat this algae. I know my common pleco eats it because when he was in the tank he ate all the brown algae that was in there. So is there any other fish that will eat it?

 

[Disco]

Suggest a bristlenose catfish/plec (ancistrus sp.) as he only reachs 6" 15cm and is an excellent worker.

 

[Dwarfs]

A ten gallon is failry small, and algae eaters will do an ok job eating the algae but will also make the tank more crowded and dirty. Use an algae scrubber (I use either utility/razor blades or old credit cards, and both work well) The tank will look nicer after you hand scrub the algae off the glass instead of waiting for a pleco or something similar to clear the stuff out of the tank. If you had algae problems in a larger tank however, a bulldog pleco would be good

 

[Durbkat]

But he would out grow the tank and he would barley be ok in a long 20g. So any other ideas guys?

 

[smithy05]

mayb couple of CAE i heard they grow to bout 10" but i had mine almost a yr and hes still only bout 2/3 inch hes extremely slow growing weather thats normal but i think most loach are slow growing. and an algae scrubber i dont think would be to helpful on gravel cos that would kick up all the dirt and move the gravel to much, you could always put ya pleco in their again for a bit let him eat it

 

[Durbkat]

No that would be to hard to catch him and to much stress on him also he wouldn't have any room in the tank since he is to big for it.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Otocinclus, AKA Otto Catfish. Eats algae constantly and gets only 2" long. Small and peaceful fish.

 

[Durbkat]

How do I tell the difference between an otto and a chinese algae eater because I heard they look similar.

 

[Vegan Peaches]

I was going to say otos too, but he beat me too it. Get a few as they like groups; they are hard to acclimate, so make sure your params are good before introducing them.

Otos are small and don't add much to your bioload but you may also want to consider scraping the algea as your tank is fairly well stocked and cories really should be in a group of three as a bare minimum.

 

[Durbkat]

Well it is kinda hard to scrap algae off gravel.

 

[Vegan Peaches]

(img from liveaquaria.com)

That's a Chinese Algae Eater. Different color and different shape, although a small one may resemble an oto.

 

[Matty]

you need to have really clean water for otos though. i think you should get an algae scraper for the glass and vacuum the gravel more often.

 

[smithy05]

i see in the swap forums that apple snails are meant to be good for algae mayb some of them and i wouldnt have thought they take up much room either.

regards the CAE if that pic is a CAE than i have the ottos (grey with black stripe down each side ??? )

 

[CallMeJoe]

Snails also would be good. Sensitive to Nitrate levels and prefer neutral water or slightly alkaline. Highly acidic or very soft water can lead to shell erosion.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I know West Bridgeford currently have some black plecs in, with golden spots. Look very nice and apparently only grow to around 8cm .