Golden chinese algae eaters?

I recently bought some golden algae eaters, the "expert" at the fish store recomended them for algae, I eagerly agreed since he is the expert : . after reading posts on this site I have learned they are not as good as I thought... What is the best fish that will eat algae

 

The answer to that question depends largely on the size of your tank.
For a small tank otocinclus "otos" can't be beat but you generally need more than one to see them at their best.
A little larger tank could handle a bristlenose easily. a little larger and one of the smaller plecostomous would work.
Sooo... I guess we need to know the size of the tank you want an algae eater for
Carol

 

I have a 40 gallon, the experts at the fish store didnt say anything about those other algae eaters

 

You could get a bristlenose or other small pleco. Or, a shoal of Otos would make a nice display as well as eating your algae.

 

thank you and one more thing; the golden chinese guys seem to be eating algae, will they stop over time or have a behaviour change. thanks again

 

Most CAE's start out peaceful and algae-eating but as they grow get more interested in being aggressive and less interested in eating algae. IMO, there is really no point in having them. There are other algae eaters that stay small and peaceful. I would trade in the CAE for Otos or a small pleco. :-\

 

thanks a lot for the information and quick response

 

Yup, that's what we're here for. I got so much help from this awesome forum when I was setting up my tank!

 

just don't get a common pleco

 

um yeah good point fish_r_friend...WAY too big!!

 

what other kind of pleco would be good for a small tank? like a 10 gallon?

 

Otocinclus (otos) are about the only thing small enough for a 10G tank. They prefer to be in a group so at least three would be good.
Ccarol

 

I really love AE's I have seen some smaller plecos. tiger and zebra plecos from what I have been told only grow to four or five inches or a bristlenose is the same. I want a bigger tank already after I saw a yellow sail, with yellow polka dots pleco but I understand he is big as an adult, similar to common pleco.