Best Algea Eater?

[Billy]

"Paul" > wrote in message
...
| Hiya
|
| I am having a problem with my main 55 gallon community tank, and
the
| problem that as summer is coming I am getting a lot more algea in
my
| tanks and on my plants. My catfish cant seem to keep up, so what
are
| the best alea eating fish I can buy? Some people reccomend a
| plecostumus but they sklulk around in they corners and hide a lot,
so
| I don't really want one of those. So what is my next best option in
| buying a good algea eater?
|
| Thanks
|
| Paul

IMO, and IME, Otociclus (oto's) and Siamese Algae Eaters. The former
are renowned for being fragile, when I want some I generally buy
several more than what I need, as invaribly some will die within the
first few weeks. On rare occasion, Oto's will become "attack Oto's",
developing a taste for the slime coat on fish. I have not had this
happen to me...yet. They are, however, efficient little lawnmowers.
SAE's, are excellent algae eaters as well, but are hard to find.
They are VERY frequently misidentified, and other fish are ID'd as
SAE's.
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html
Best way is to study the pic on that page, as 'flying fox's' look
very similar, watch to be sure the black stripe goes all the way to
the end of the caudal (tail) fin. They are repoted to have a max size
of six inches, though mine always seem to top out just above four
inches.

Also, this plain-looking little fish,
http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/ameca-splendens.html
is ruputedly a fabulous AE'er, though I've never been able to fine
any. They even eat duckweed.

hth

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[Paul]

Hiya

I am having a problem with my main 55 gallon community tank, and the
problem that as summer is coming I am getting a lot more algea in my
tanks and on my plants. My catfish cant seem to keep up, so what are
the best alea eating fish I can buy? Some people reccomend a
plecostumus but they sklulk around in they corners and hide a lot, so
I don't really want one of those. So what is my next best option in
buying a good algea eater?

Thanks

Paul

[Jim85CJ]

I'm a fan of Mystery Snails myself

Paul wrote:

> Hiya
>
> I am having a problem with my main 55 gallon community tank, and the
> problem that as summer is coming I am getting a lot more algea in my
> tanks and on my plants. My catfish cant seem to keep up, so what are
> the best alea eating fish I can buy? Some people reccomend a
> plecostumus but they sklulk around in they corners and hide a lot, so
> I don't really want one of those. So what is my next best option in
> buying a good algea eater?
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul

--
------------------------------------------------------------

"There are all kinds of atrocities, and I would have to
say that, yes, yes, I committed the same kind of atrocities...
I took part in the burning of villages."
-- John Kerry

[Michi Henning]

"Billy" > wrote in message
...
>
> IMO, and IME, Otociclus (oto's) and Siamese Algae Eaters. The former
> are renowned for being fragile, when I want some I generally buy
> several more than what I need, as invaribly some will die within the
> first few weeks. On rare occasion, Oto's will become "attack Oto's",
> developing a taste for the slime coat on fish. I have not had this
> happen to me...yet. They are, however, efficient little lawnmowers.

I second that. Hardest-working fish I've ever seen. A bit difficult to
acclimatise, but once they have settled in, they keep going for years.

For the SAE's, keep in mind that they are jumpers and not suitable
for an open tank. They also get fairly large (5" or so) and are quite
lively -- if you have shy/slow fish, they may be a bit too active.

Amano shrimp also have an excellent reputation as algae eaters.

Cheers,

Michi.

[jk]

"Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Hiya
>
> I am having a problem with my main 55 gallon community tank, and the
> problem that as summer is coming I am getting a lot more algea in my
> tanks and on my plants. My catfish cant seem to keep up, so what are
> the best alea eating fish I can buy? Some people reccomend a
> plecostumus but they sklulk around in they corners and hide a lot, so
> I don't really want one of those. So what is my next best option in
> buying a good algea eater?
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul


What I've done is cut back on the lighting severely, until the algae got
controlled.

--
JK Sinrod
Sinrod Stained Glass Studios
www.sinrodstudios.com
Coney Island Memories
www.sinrodstudios.com/coneymemories

[Justin Boucher]

I've used and plan to continue using MTS (Malasian Trumpet Snails) They're
small (<1/2") and hid in the gravel during the day which gives added
benefits of areating the substrate. They don't eat living higher order
plants and mow down on algae and deterus.

Justin

"Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Hiya
>
> I am having a problem with my main 55 gallon community tank, and the
> problem that as summer is coming I am getting a lot more algea in my
> tanks and on my plants. My catfish cant seem to keep up, so what are
> the best alea eating fish I can buy? Some people reccomend a
> plecostumus but they sklulk around in they corners and hide a lot, so
> I don't really want one of those. So what is my next best option in
> buying a good algea eater?
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul