favorite algae eater

[khombre]

i love plecos.. and its sad that i cant house em....

hey do clown loaches count as bottom feeders? i like em too

 

[CJC]

I have to go with Bristlenoses! They definetly keep my tank cleaner than anything else I have ever had by far! Well, that and they are so cute...in a gargoyle looking sense.
Charity

 

[Web Gazelle]

I have to go with Bristlenoses! They definetly keep my tank cleaner than anything else I have ever had by far! Well, that and they are so cute...in a gargoyle looking sense.
Charity

Did you see my avatar? That was my bristlenose till he died 3 weeks ago.

 

[GUYZY]

Isn't it true that simease algae eaters only eat algae when they are baby/youth and then after that they become a bit aggressive and demand other foods

 

[Native American]

n wtf is an otto :huh: :huh: :huh:
i search it n nothing show :read: :huh:

Otocinclus affinis.

I voted for these as I've got five of them. They school around and do a nice job w/ algae.

I'd love to try a true SAE if I could ever find one in my locale. They're legendary.

Isn't it true that simease algae eaters only eat algae when they are baby/youth and then after that they become a bit aggressive and demand other foods

That would be the Chinese algae eater (CAE) that would be guilty of that behavior. True SAE never stop their dutiful eating of algae.

Here's a good link to tell the difference between these.

Algae Eaters

I accidentally bought some young False Siamensis (they look like true SAE, but have some vital, easily noticeable physical differences), and they are not so good at eating algae as a true SAE or the otocinclus catfish.

v/r, N-A

 

[rosita]

Isn't it true that simease algae eaters only eat algae when they are baby/youth and then after that they become a bit aggressive and demand other foods

No, that would be Chinese AE's, who will eat your fish, too. (And yes, they get MORE aggressive and eat LESS algae--I wouldn't advise them from personal experience). Research to make sure you know what they look like before you go looking for a Siamese.

 

[rosita]

I chose 'other' primarily because I like the bristlenosed catfish aka bushynosed ..generally considered a pleco(but in actuality it is a catfish)

Question: how would a bristlenose fare in a Lake Malawi-geared tank with Yellow Labs and Cobalt Blues? It's freshwater, I know, and the Mbuna need a higher ph (crushed coral in mine) and Rift Lake Salts (more minerals than actual salt)? I'm intrigued by all the good comments about them, but am not personally familiar with them (not really found in my region). Thanks!!

 

[DaisyTattoo]

I would have to go with snails...They have such cute faces! If taken care of properly they are very active. I have 3 different colors in my 10g. An ivory, a blue and a yellow. So many colors to choose from as well as shell shapes. You just can't lose with snails...unless you don't like babies..but who doesnt like babies

 

[Star_Rider]

Rosita,
generally the BN is in water in the pH range of 5.5-7.8
but they have been acclimated to higher pH.

I am not sure how well accepted they are with those tank mates..but they seem to get along with semi-agressive fish well and can tolerate breeding angels..which may not be as agressive as many cichlids but they are mean when they are spawning..and it's more than posturing..angels have been known to kill other fish..I know from personal experience that most other fish are not safe in a tank with breeding angels. especially other angels.

 

[DeputyChiefJR]

How about ottos in that same environment?? I also don't use rift salts or coral, would that make a difference?