tony

OK. This is a dumb question but I wanted to know if i could keep otos with cichlids. Firemouths, convicts and angels to be specific. I'm sure the answer is probably no but I was just hoping for a chance that it may work. I have a 55g aquarium and algae is growing on my plant leaves. I have a rubberlip but he doesn't get the algae off the leaves. I know that otos would because I have them in my 20g tank. I was just hoping that it would work since otos are fast fish and just keep to themselves, and there are a lot of hiding places and none of my fish are very aggresive.

If that's not possible, any other ideas on how to get the algae off the plant leaves? (It doesn't come off when I wipe it)

Thank you,

Slug

Angels will be your best chance i would think. I've seen setups with both before. The other 2 are hit or miss. Depends on the amount of cover in the tank and if the otos would be able to escape the beatings if they indeed occured.

I'd be inclinded to try it.

What type of algae is it? Green hair?

Butterfly

I've had angels and Otos together before and they did fairly well until the angels spawned. Thankfully there was plenty of cover so the Otos were ok.
I personally wouldn't try it with the other two fish, I would be afraid the Otos wouldn't survive the beatings or aggression both can give out.
Carol

tony

Well I already have the other fish. I just don't have the otos yet.

I don't even know why algae is growing. I have 1.9wpg of light, no nitrates, and I don't overfeed them.

Slug

Sunlight hitting your tank?

tony

Nope. No direct sunlight. I mean it comes through the window, of course but it doesnt directly hit the tank

Butterfly

Tony don't you have live plants? I can't see you not having Nitrates in that tank with all those heavy waste producers unless the algae is sucking it up or your tank isn't finished cycling. Algae is generally caused from excess nutrients and excess light. Try using some Flourish excel this will help the plants use the available food more efficiently and starve the algae.
Carol

tony

No the tank isn't cycled. I tried to tell my dad but he wouldn't listen. We HAD to get fish right away so I'm making the best of it. But there aren't any nitrites or ammonia either so I'm assuming that the plants are sucking it all up. I think I'm just going to get some tetra safe start and call it good.

tony

Oh sorry slug. It's green hair and brown algae. I think its diatoms.

Butterfly

The Tetra safe Will most likely help but you may still see a small cycle since the fish are already in there.
Diatoms are common in a new tank and will usually go away. Here are some good examples of algae and will help you know what your dealing with. Hang in there
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9
Carol

tony

There is no ammonia in the tank so will the safe start all go to waste because the bacteria have no food? And it says 5 ml for every 2g. Can I get away with putting a 100 ml bottle in my 55g tank?