Thinking Of Getting An Algae Control Fish

[anjuhluh]

Hi,
I have a 10 gallon tank with 3 cories; A bronze, a peppered and a false julii (or so the sign said, including a pic for confirmation). I have some fake plants and a real plant in the tank along with a little cave for them to hide in. I have just added a bubble wand after seeing some videos of cories playing in the bubbles. The problem I am having is I get a ton of algae. The green kind that covers the glass and then I am also getting a green 'hairy' kind that grows on the fake plants. I usually just pick off all the hair stuff and clean the glass off but I was thinking of possibly getting a fish that would like to eat the algae. I don't know what kind of fish to get though. I have had my false julii for over 3 years now and the other 2 I have had about 2 years. I am not sure what kind of real plant I have since I bought a pack of "betta bulbs" that didn't list the plant species and out of the 10 bulbs only one bloomed. It has really nice big leaves that float on the top of the water. Anyway, I love watching my cories play and I don't want to get a fish that might stress them or harass them at all. I know that "algae eaters" need a bigger tank than 10 gallons so I didn't even consider a chinese algae eater. I tried searching the forum for an answer but I was unable to find one (maybe I was using the wrong word combo?).

that is my false julii (this pic was taken over 3 years ago, the day I got him) but I don't think he exactly looks like the false julii pics I have seen on here. Thanks for any help.
-Angela

 

[mrp3]

Maybe a bristlenose pleco would work for you I have one they only get about 6 inches long and do a great job with the algae

 

[Ruskull]

Maybe an Otocinclus? I have 4 of them, 1 large & 3 small, and there aren't any signs of algae whatsoever in my son's 20 gallon tank. In fact, I have some rocks in a pan of water on my porch to try to grow some for the Oto's.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Your "false julii" is a c. trilineatus, or 3-lined cory. All corydora are shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of 6 or more of their own kind. But since you only have a 10g it would be impossible to add that many more fish.

At any rate, your algae problem may be that you have too much light in your tank, whether it's too close to a window or you have your lights on too long. Absolutely do not get a Chinese algae eater. They're fine when they're small but when they mature they just get plain nasty and will hurt your other fish. Otos are fine but need more room than a 10g, honestly. They're another shoaling fish and should be in larger groups.

You really should find out the reason for the algae growth before buying any more fish.

 

[anjuhluh]

Thanks for the comments. I already know why the algae is occurring; I have a fluorescent light above the tank to give them light and give the plant light. The majority of the algae is where the light falls. It's not too big of a problem, I just scrape it off or pick it off whenever it starts to annoy me but I figured if there was a small fish that liked algae I might give it a try. I wouldn't want anything bigger than 2-3 inches because I wanted to keep the size of the fish consistent so they didn't feel threatened or anything. I had seen something about a little fish that ate algae but I can't remember the fish's name and I have no idea what its requirements are. My cories seem happy though, they are always playing together and they usually swim in a little group lol. Cutest fish I have ever seen. I am waiting for them to play in the bubble wand.

 

[Tizer]

Just reduce how long your lights are on for, the algae will soon clear up. Its better to sort the cause of the algae than to buy a solution for it in the form of fish. Have you tried blacking out the tank with a sheet for 3/4 days? Without light, the algae will die off.

 

[laura120381]

hi angela,

I must agree with the others that it would be better to deal with the algae problem by sorting out the cause. Just a wee thing to add...so called 'algae eaters' (including chinese, plecos etc) also need to be fed a staple diet. although they may graze at the lagae in your tank they still require further feeding. although they may help a bit with your algae problem, they would not completely cure it i'm afraid. i would go with the suggestion of lowering the light levels and accept (like we all unfortunately had to do at some point ) that the only thing that will properly clean algae etc off our tanks is us!! try using an old credit card to scrape the algae off your glass...works a treat!!!

good luck!
L

 

[anjuhluh]

Hmmm I never thought to use a credit card. I was just using a toothbrush and an algae pad. I'd rather not leave the light off, for the plants sake and because the fish seem to enjoy it. I think I may have hurt the plant, though, a few days ago. I didn't know, but the plant had grown A LOT. The roots span the entire bottom of the tank now O_O

 

[ron4sum1]

Or you could try buying some cherry shrimps. They are excellent algae eaters and they tend to reproduce themselves, so cheaper in the long run. The volume of your aquarium makes it possible to accommode for them, me thinks !

 

[Tizer]

I'd rather not leave the light off, for the plants sake and because the fish seem to enjoy it. I think I may have hurt the plant, though, a few days ago. I didn't know, but the plant had grown A LOT. The roots span the entire bottom of the tank now O_O

Plants and fish are perfectly fine in the dark for a short period of time and its a very quick and easy way of eliminating algae. I'm taking a wild guess that you probably have the lights on from morning until night, so simply cut down to 3pm till 9pm and see if the algae starts to disappear.

 

[Tom499]

Agree with Tizer!

Fish just make mess, Including algae eaters.

 

[creeker]

hi angela,

I must agree with the others that it would be better to deal with the algae problem by sorting out the cause. Just a wee thing to add...so called 'algae eaters' (including chinese, plecos etc) also need to be fed a staple diet. although they may graze at the lagae in your tank they still require further feeding. although they may help a bit with your algae problem, they would not completely cure it i'm afraid. i would go with the suggestion of lowering the light levels and accept (like we all unfortunately had to do at some point ) that the only thing that will properly clean algae etc off our tanks is us!! try using an old credit card to scrape the algae off your glass...works a treat!!!

good luck!
L

Genius with the credit card! I never considered that. I can finally get some use out of it since I don't charge anymore.