Fish for eating algae on side of 29gal

[pugfish]

I have 3 fish in my 29gal. 2 Angels almost 5 " each, and a lonely serpae tetra(last of his school). I was wondering if there was any small fish that likes to eat algae. My tank is near a huge picture window, so one end gets some algae. If not I guess I will just continue to scrape it. I've had snails but they were like a plague and didn't do much good.

Also, when my serpae tetra "goes" I was thinking about getting a school of bloodfins. Although I've been told that may be too much fish for that tank considering the Angels size. IAny opinions?
If I were to put the bloodfins in my 15 gal tank by themselves would they school together?

Thanks,
LJ

[ChilDawg]

What color is this algae? I know Otos do a credible job on diatomaceous (brown) algae, but I'd recommend a Bristlenose for this job, assuming the algae is green.

[Hunter2001]

I have 3 Otto's in my 29 gallon and they do an excellent job eating the algae.

They are also small, so they do well in a 29 gallon

[stik6shift98]

i have otos and plecos and chinese algee eaters

so choose one and they will do a great job

[ChilDawg]

CAEs, once they grow larger and more mature, will take more to the slime coat of other fish in the tank than they will to algae.

[CHINABOY1021]

Otos are crazy at eating algae. i recommend them for ANY tank with ANY plants.

there's 100% NOTHING wrong with otos. i cant seem to point out 1 disadvantage. !!! AAHH, I NEED MORE OTOS!

[1 fish 2 fish]

Are there any non-catfish fish, that can be used to control algae?

To answer the question, Otos and some (most?) Plecs, best at cleaning up algae

[RENEGADE]

my CAE was one of my first fish in my tank and i don't have any algae.

[GDominy]

Originally posted by CHINABOY1021
Otos are crazy at eating algae. i recommend them for ANY tank with ANY plants.

there's 100% NOTHING wrong with otos. i cant seem to point out 1 disadvantage. !!! AAHH, I NEED MORE OTOS!

I agree, although once in a while you get the occasional "attack oto" who likes to eat slime coat. I have 3 ottos (out of 12) in one of my tanks that harass my angelfish from time to time.

[ChilDawg]

Yeah, there are definitely attack otos...mine decided to go medieval on his bag mate as I was transporting them home for winter break.

[Anaxus]

Chilidawg you said bristlenose like green algae? My bristlenose seems to eat mostly brown algae and leaves some of the green behind. My tank mostly has brown algae so maby he is just not as picky.

[ChilDawg]

I was told that. I have no experience either way, so I will disclose that and allow your personal experience to take precedent.

[OrionGirl]

Just a comment on the other fish you wish to add...I would avoid any of the larger tetras--those getting to 2 inches or bigger, just to prevent overstocking the tank. This leaves you with a smaller group to choose from, including blues, silvertips, and rummy nose. You'll want something that is right around 1.5 inches, to avoid predation by the angels.

As for schooling--IMO--it depends on how close the fish is to the wild. Schooling habits are lost in many fish the more generations they breed in the aquarium (schooling is a survival trait, and in an aquarium, fish that don't school can reproduce just as well as those that school tightly. In the wild, non-schoolers more often become snacks). In a tank with a larger fish than intimidates the schoolers, you see better schooling. In a tank without, well, it will depend. If you get 10 fish, about half will school and half will probably just wander, sometimes schooling up.

[ChilDawg]

I am continually finding sites now that say that bristlenoses and otos eat both brown and green algaes, but it looks like brown is definitely the first choice of each.

[Anaxus]

OrionGirl I was about to post as to why my zebras and coires arnt schooling. But you answered my question here. So if I wanted my fish to school I would have to introduce a fish that would "threaten" them?

[OrionGirl]

No, it won't work will all fish. Some, like cories, are not actually schooling fish. They live in enormous colonies in the wild--some numbering in the 100's, so are more comfortable in a group than solo. How close they stay to each other is usually a matter of comfort, but the space involved makes a difference as well. For example, in a small tank, they can't really get separated, so you don't notice schooling behavior. Tanks less than about 55's don't really provide enough space for us to tell that the fish are schooling.

Sometimes, adding a fish that will be viewed as a threat, without actually being a threat, will help. However, not in all cases, with all fish.

[punch]

Florida flag fish seem to like green algea, but they perfer to eat it off plants and do not have the "sucker mouth" you would need for glass. For cleaning glass you need a sucker mouth of some kind, pleco's.

[pugfish]

Thanks everyone for all the good info. I think I will go with the ottos, because the are nice and small. How many should I get?
Also, Oriongirl thanks for the info about the school. I think I will consider the rummynose for the 29 and possibly the bloodfins for the 15.

I want a 55 gal in the worst way. How can I convince my husband that it is a necessity? LOL
Thanks again,
LJ

[RENEGADE]

how big do ottos get????

[punch]

Otto's are pretty small. I'd say about 1.5" maybe 2" for an extra large.

[RENEGADE]

reason i ask is i have a 10g. can someone post there real name so i can search it on google

[OrionGirl]

Otocinclus. Listed on Planet Catfish. Sometimes sold as a dwarf suckermouth cat.

[ChilDawg]

Otocinclus spp.

The most often-listed one is Otocinclus affinis, but you might find others...2" is generally accepted as the max.

[RENEGADE]

cool thanks!