Should i get on Oto or Snail?

[pezzy]

I have a 20 gallon long with 3 danios, 7 mollies (6 babies) and 2 platies and the mollies eat alot of the algae like on the rocks n such but not on the glass. i dont leave the light on but it does get some daylight but cleaning it is almost impossible (well annoying) and honestly i wouldn't mind having another fishie lol

So should i get on Oto or move my 2 Ramshorns in there instead?

My LFS suggested a CAE but i read they can get pretty aggressive so no thank you

[jpappy789]

Definitely no CAE. Not only are they too aggressive but they will outgrow that tank. My suggestion is to add the snails as you will have to commit to feeding the otos fresh veggies and algae wafers on a regular basis. They cannot live on algae alone. But if you do want some make sure to get at least 3. Another thing to think about to lower the amount of algae is less feeding.

[NeonJulie]

Ooh Otos are great, you'd want 3-5 though. It really makes a difference how many you have, otherwise, one or two may basically hide all th time. They like a whole lot of oxygen and fast moving water/current (which is why mine hang out by the filter intake about 99% of the time.)

They are sensitive to water parameters/medications, etc., and you have to acclimate them well, (and try to buy Otos that are larger and healthy at the store). But they are not aggressive, and are really cute with great funky personality. They basically are either eating, or sleeping. They do a lot of eating. I think though they eat specific types of algae, not all kinds. Mainly brown/immature algae.

[pezzy]

ok ive never moved snails so is there something special i should do?

[jm1212]

if you can't find ramshorns, i would get one apple snail. once they get going, its pretty comical to watch them mosy around the tank. also keep in mind that the ramshorns can reproduce even if there is only one; apple snails cannot.

[captaincaveman9]

if algae control is part of what you want, get olive nerites :)

[msjinkzd]

olive nerites are easy to supplement as well with algae wafers or veggies. Apple snails are very cool, but not efficient algae eaters and would need to be supplemented with a calcium rich diet to ensure shell health

[pezzy]

if you can't find ramshorns, i would get one apple snail. once they get going, its pretty comical to watch them mosy around the tank. also keep in mind that the ramshorns can reproduce even if there is only one; apple snails cannot.


i have 2 ramshorns already, can they be in the same tank as an apple snail?

[msjinkzd]

yes they can. are these common ramshorns? Or columbian?

[pezzy]

commons i think