Jerry1809

Hello,
I was wondering if I would be overstocking my 26 gallon bowfront if I added 2 cherry shrimp to control my diatoms? I have a bad case of it on my decor, glass, and substrate. My cory cats don't seem very interested in it.

redlessi

Cherry shrimp are very small with very little bio load. You should be able to add them without problems, you could even add more that 2.

Jerry1809

Thanks for your info and quick reply!!

harpua2002

Agreed, you could add quite a few actually. I don't think they'll go after diatoms though.

Toddnbecka

It mainly depends on what fish you have in the tank, shrimp are on the menu of many species. Daitoms are common in new setups, but usually don't last long or reappear after the tank becomes better established.

Jerry1809

I have danios, a dwarf gourami and cory cats. I was able to clean the substrate by vaccuming but the decor just looks nasty!! Are diatoms not considered algae then? I thought cherry shrimp would eat all algae? I know ottos like diatoms, but I thought shrimp would be more unique.

Shawnie

I agree with the others....shrimps are cool and very little bioload..but ive never seen them eat diatoms either..but one never knows we learn daily!! diatoms are a new tank type of algae...it goes away after time, but it can be months....it doesnt hurt anything and some people just dont like it...I think it looks more natural in a tank and makes things not look so sterile....ottos are the best diatom eaters IMO but they dont do well in new tanks....I think if you got shrimp for your tank, the danios and gourami's could have a meal...each fish is different but I do know both of those love a fresh catch

Toddnbecka

Diatoms aren't algae, they're a microscopic animal that builds a shell out of silica from their environment. Gourami's are likely to eat shrimp sooner, the danios more likely when they molt. An old toothbrush would be the best solution for diatoms on decor.

Jerry1809

Thanks Shawnie, I agree with you about the look diatoms give a tank. I thought maye since I had so much, I could find a new addition that would enjoy eating it Maybe I'll wait for my son's tank to finish cycling and add a few shrimp then.

harpua2002

I agree, I think danios would be an unlikely suspect unless the shrimp were molting. I missed the gourami in the stock list though; I do think it would eat shrimp.

cg49me

I've kept ghosties and amanos with a gourami - no problems. I know cherries are smaller, but as long as your tank has enough hiding spots, I'd guess they'll probably be okay.

If you're looking for a tank cleaner, I'd go with amanos. Cherries can sometimes be on the picky side, but amanos will eat ANYTHING. Cherries do breed though... And by "breed", I mean "put rabbits to shame".

Also, anytime I've added cherries, half of them died off within a few weeks. I've only lost about 10% of my amanos.

redlessi

I have ghost shrimp in my tank along with danios, cories and guppies and they all get along. I also have the diatoms (brown algae) on my decorations and gravel that I have been trying to get rid of. I scrubbed off the decor with a toothbrush and I have been taking out the top layer of gravel and washing it in hot water one time already. The brown stuff has come back and the ghost shrimp dont seem to eat it at all. Folks say that it will go away eventually. I hope so!!!!!

Shawnie

not to hijack but be very careful about all that scrubbing and cleaning with a new tank..you could very well cause a mini cycle or stall a cycle and thats much worse than dealing with diatoms that eventually go away on their own

Jerry1809

Great input from EVERYONE. I am so glad to have found this website. Thanks to you all!