SAE for algae??? if you say so!

[LMOUTHBASS]

got a sae the other day to try to see if it will help with this black algae i'm getting - but i gotta say i dont see how these things are algae eaters - they swim in a herky jerky motion - dont seem very agile - can't flutter in place in the water like some fish - don't have a sucker mouth - i have algae on my tall fake plants i'm wondering igf it's gonna be able to get to it? it's like they sort of sink while they swim not a very bouyant fish looks like it's suited to "walk" with it's fins onthe bottom more or less - but it is a cool fish!

[emoore]

That's what I thought when I first got a few true SAE's. They are not sucker mouth fish so the wont eat algae off the glass but they do a great job on hair algae. They love that stuff. It took mine a few days before he started to eat the algae but now there is no hair algae in the tank!

[LMOUTHBASS]

is this the black type because i have tons of that n it is hairy looking stuff
hopefully he gets snacking on it - i only got one to see if h was gonna go for it - if he does i will get some more

[TwoTankAmin]

FYI- SAE have no swim bladder so they will sink if they are not swimming. They love to rest on plants, wood and gravel and are great algae eaters, esp when young. They are also one of the hardest fish to catch in a planted tank you will ever see. They can move very fast. I usually use a fish trap when I need to catch them.

[LMOUTHBASS]

that makes sense they havent got a swim bladder - i was wondering why the thing sinks so quick! thanks:D

[TKOS]

They do have a swim bladder but it is under developped compared to many other fish types. If the hair algae is too long then they might not make much of a dent in it. They seem best at new growth, but I am sure they will try for a snack.

Make sure to drop some sinking pellets in for them every other day as algae alone won't cut it.

[tricksterpup]

BASS
Also touble shoot why you have so much hair alage. Do more water changes, and test your water regularly. Also you may ease on the feedings. I had problems like this with my endler tank and started to beef up my cleaning regime. I think you will notice a larger difference when you do this.
Also SAEs are fantastic alage eaters, i use the along with Amano shrimp.



jim