Zap

Hello all!

My 10 gallon tank is finally FINALLY cycled and I would like to add an algae eater to clean it up. I've got regular green algae on the back wall and the rocks and some of the plastic plants. I can clean it by hand, but I'd like to not upset the tank too much...

I already have 6 fish in there. Two guppies and four tetra (two blackskirts and two serpae).

What kind of algae eater should I get?

I know the common pleco is out!

The fish store people recommended these little guys that looked a little like plecos but aren't (starts with an "o" kind of a long name ?? --Otocinclus, maybe?). They also had a clown pleco and another kind of pleco (bristle something?) They also had siamese something (not a pleco) and a variety of catfish (I'm not keen on the white ones with the red eyes, but will listen to advice).

I don't know what will get too big for my little tank. And I definitely want something that eats algae. I don't mind buying supplements if the tank gets depleted.

Please help me!

Tony G.

Yes, ottocinclus
otto for short. AS for the plecos, clown plecos do get larger so its reccomended to keep them in larger aquariums. As for Bristlenose plecos, i would keep them in tanks larger than 20 gallons..
Otto's are great, but seem to do better in well established tanks

Zap

I don't know if my tank is 'well-established' but the ammonia/nitrate is barely registering and has been great readings consistently for a couple of weeks. I'm having a little trouble with the temperature because we had a heat wave recently where I had to turn off the heater and fill the tank with cold water every day to keep it below 84! Then when the heat wave passed, it dropped to too cold (around 72). Seems to be okay now, though... I can tell when my fish are stressed because they lose their color and look mournful. They like it between 74 and 80.

Will Ottos be okay in there? They are group fish so I will need to get two, I think. Is two enough?

Tony G.

ottos actually like to be in groups of more than 3. Also, your tank needs to be well and heavily planted so they have enough cover to feel safe. Also, temp needs to be stable, and usually do better between 70 and 79. what i meant about well established was that the tank needs to be old enough (meaning its been a while since it cycled). Also, with the 3 ottos you would be stocked, so you would need to keep up with your WC's.
here is our otto page:
http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_otocinclus.htm

here is our care guide:
Caresheet for otos

Zap

All my plants are fake. I have four plants and two rocks. Three would be a lot of fish to add... *thinks*

Tony G.

true, especially since your tank recently finished cycling.

theusual

I don't know anything about ottos but I do know you should really keep away from any plecos if you have a 10 gallon tank. They don't react well to water changes, and the 10 gallon is too conensed for water fluctuations not to impact them. Of course some people are very successful with pleco but I'd really recommend against it. I really like chinese algae eaters BUT you should NOT get them because they grow into being very aggressive and territorial.

I'd go with 3 cory catfish. They are very active and entertaining, plus some breeds are very attractive - panda, julii...

good luck

Zap

thanks! do cory catfish actually eat algae? I have heard they do not... But it is probably between catfish and ottos (which i think are also a kind of catfish) as I think I need 20 gal or more for any kind of pleco.

Tony G.

i respectfully disagree. All corys are different and most dont eat algae. I have kept them, they are cute, but they dont feed on algae. However, CAE i have one, and he is really agressive, he keeps his tank spotless, yet he has the whole side of the tank to himself. He will deffinitely do better in larger tanks and i do not reccomend him for a 10g. If algae is something you want to get rid of, you could get a snail maybe? The only algae eating fish i find appropriate for a 10g would be the otto, other than that i would keep snails. They feed off of the algae and eat left over food at the bottom..

2lucky

I agree with tony, mystery snails for one are very interesting and don't overpopulate the tank with their off spring like some other snails are known to do.
Also are you sure your tank has finished cycling? It says in your aquarium info that you still have ammonia readings... if you are still getting ammonia readings your tank still has a fair way to go before it has finished cycling.
Good luck, Zap!

Lifesabeach

Hi Zap.

I also agree with Ottos and Mystery Snails. I had the same question not so long ago, and followed Shawnie's advice. I've added 3 ottos and am waiting on 6 more. The snails are also busy and have also deposited a batch of eggs. They haven't cleared the tank - I don't expect them to.
Don't forget that if you introduce these, you need to add algae wafers if there is not much algae present.
Mine are always scouring the glass, rocks and plants. I've read that the snails won't go for the long hair algae though.

Blub

What happened to shrimp? They are effective little algae eaters with tiny bio-loads.

iloveengl

I have a gold mystery snail in my 13g tank and he is an excellent little cleaner. They move FAST and they are always prowling the tank walls and bottoms, as well as the plants and decor. They don't reproduce on their own (like pond snails), so you won't have 200 in a week. I like them better than fish because they're not creating as much waste as a pleco or corys will create in a smaller tank, but they are very efficient. They also are super cute & have their own personalities, which makes me rather partial to them. Like Blub said, ghost shrimp would also be a good option for your little tank.

jdhef

With the six fish you have in there, you are about fully stocked, so I wouldn't add any additional fish. If you are really concerned about the algae, I would take Blubs advice and go with shrimp.

Zap

I don't think I will get snails. I am leaning toward ottos. All my fish are quite little. If they get overcrowded as they get bigger, I know someone who can take my guppies. And my readings are def zero and have been for many weeks. I need to update me profile. I wanted to get just two ottos, but if they will thrive better in a school of three, I can try that. However, I was told the same for tetras, but they are all in pairs and seem to be quite happy (I didn't know at the time I got them that I should have more)

coffeebean

i would go with shrimp or a snail- nerite or apple.