ATP

Hi,

I need a good algae eater for my 29 gallons tank and need help on choosing one. (see info for fish, etc. in tank)

I would prefer one that doesn't die easily and doesn't get too big?

Any Ideas?

Lucy

Have you looked at the bristle-nose or clown pleco? I'm pretty sure they stay under 4"
Otos are great algea eaters, but they're pretty sensitive.
also I've read Amano Shrimp will eat some types of algea.

Amanda

Clown plecos will not touch algae.
Just so you know for reference.

Lucy

Thanks for the correction Amanda. I've never had them.
Here's where I read about the clown:
Algae - An Overview

Edit: Says here Clown Pleco that will also, but not very well.

Also here: Clown Pleco

Amanda

My clown will not touch it. Only eats the driftwood and SOMETIMES will nibble on the zucchini. But mostly he's a wood eater.

ATP

Thanks for the replies. I might be getting a bristle nose pleco if i see 1 at my local fish store. I had a group of Otocinclus and they keep dying so i gave up on them.

Lucy

Mine went pretty quickly also. Sad because they are cool little fish and man, can they eat algea.
Funny thing is, my water is always where it should be with regular maintancence.
I had bought 5, kept 3 and gave my friend 2.
She put them in a 55 with an angel and a goldfish. She says she never vacuums and only tops off for evaporation (not that I would recommend any of that) but go figure.......hers are still alive.

Amanda

Don't ya just hate when that happens? lol.

Lucy

Haha, yeah, everything about that says it shouldn't work.

ATP

It survived with a goldfish? I use to have a few in my goldfish tank ( i should of research first before putting it in there) and my goldfish's killed it and starts to eat it.

ATP

I got the bristlenose pleco .

Butterfly

good choice


Since common names can be confusing : Clown Plecos (panaque maccus) frequently sold in the LFS do not eat much algae. The clown Pleco spoken of at Plantgeek is a Peckolita sp. They are two different Plecs
Carol

ATP

It's been a week since I bought the Bristlenose Pleco, but it never moves. It only sticks to he glass in one corner. Is it still stressed out?

harpua2002

In my experience they often aren't very active during the day, and really prefer to hide and come out at night. Do you have enough hiding spots that he could hang out in and feel comfortable? A nice piece of driftwood might help, they seem to like that.

ATP

I have a medium piece of Malaysian driftwood and it's about 14 inches long, but he always stays at the opposite corner of the driftwood (the driftwood is on the left side and he always stays on the right side. I also have a pile of rocks in there so maybe i could make a cave? I also have 8 different plants in there