Sarcastic

I gave a search on this issue, but maybe my keywords weren't adequate. Mods, if there's another thread, I apologize - just point me in the right direction.

That said, I got this great piece of driftwood for my tank. I don't have an algae probelm, but I do have algae growth - enough that I need to wipe down the insides of the glass weekly and semi weekly I take out my large rocks and wipe those off as well. However, this isn't going to work with the wood - its got too many rough edges.

So I need to find a relatively small - 4" or less - fish to put in there who'll be diligent about keeping the wood mostly clean (I like some algae, just not too much), but can happily subsist on wafers since I don't have a lot of algae in the tank. Hypostomus/Plecostomus seem to get too big to do the job. The other catch is that I have a nice school of 6 corys and I want someone in there who won't harass them too much.

I was thinking of Ancistrus, if I can find one of the sub-species that stay small.

I'm sure that Otos will come up immediately. Do these guys munch on wood?

Luniyn

Yep Oto's would be your best bet with the 4" limit. At 2" max each you could get 2 and they would be quite happy (well they like 3 or more but they should be fine with just the pair as they aren't aggressive at all) and they won't bother the wood or any live plants you have either. Just be sure to look at some pictures of them before you go to the pet store, because some less reputable stores will try to pass off Chinese algae eaters as oto's because they look similar as juveniles. Here is a photo of an Oto and here is one of the Algae Eater (which gets VERY aggressive as they mature).

Sarcastic

I do want someone around who will mess with the wood. I keep the algae clean enough in other parts of the tank, but I don't think I'll be able to keep the wood looking woody.

Are there any other alternatives I might be missing?

Luniyn

What I meant was that they will eat the algae off the wood, but won't hard the wood while doing it. Unlike a pleco (think it was a pleco) that will actually gnaw on the wood.

tan.b

although plecos rasp at the wood, they dont munch on it so you'd notice. i have bristlenoses and driftwood and although they spend alot of their time on it, the wood doesnt look like they've gnawed at it, but it is algae free! i still think otos would be your best bet though due to the space limitation. tan

griffin

i think plecos do "munch" on the wood, just not a lot, i had a pleco, and the wood in that tank would noticibly get smaller near where it liked to have it's head.

i think otos would be great. they'll keep the wood clean. i havn't noticed much wood munching from the otos, but they do keep my driftwood clean

Sarcastic

Thanks!