Algae control animals for a sand based tank

MikeO

MikeO

AC Members
Dec 7, 2004
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Pittsburgh, PA
www.mikeoconnor.net
I have put together a 10 gallon tank with a sand based. The snails I put in it always die when they go to the bottom. I am wondering if there are any other animals I can use to control the algae in the tank. I am planning on putting a female betta in the tank. So what other animal can I safely put in the tank. The tank right now has a lot of live plants in the tank also.
 
Although I've heard of exceptions to this, generally ottos seem to be safe with bettas. (Emphasis on the "generally.") Could probably put one or two in there with the Betta in a 10g?
 
I have a male betta with otos and they do fine together. However, ottos can be very sensitive, especially in new tanks. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled?
 
thesydmonster said:
I have a male betta with otos and they do fine together. However, ottos can be very sensitive, especially in new tanks. How long has your tank been set up? Is it cycled?
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It been cycled, it has been setup since last November (it did take me that long to find a female betta. I did get a otto for the tank.

I also have a huge amount of live plants in the tank.
 
That long to find a female betta? My local petsmart must be real good then, they always have one or two!

As far as bottom cleaners for a 10G.. I have a male betta with a slightly agressive temperment and he has never once gone after my ghost shrimp. The ghost shrimp is one inch long, so that may be why. Shrimp are always eating crap off the bottom, great for maintaining.
 
I have some Cory cats in with my bettas. They actually like a sand base and will burrow a little when resting sometimes. No problem with bettas and you my find like I did that Corys are more fun than the Betta.
 
beatle said:
My betta just ate his 1.5" ghost shrimp tankmate. They'd both been in there about a month with little aggression.
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Ghost shrimp has a shell which protects them, it might not be that strong of a shell, but they do have one. Shrimp milt (atleast I think this is what its called), they shed their shell in order to grow larger, while during this process, they are extremely vulnerable to attack from predatory fish.. ie: bettas.
 
hmm, the only reason I would say ghost shrimp is because they are cheap and the can feed the betta. I just added 5 ghost shrimp to my tank and all i have left is one 1.5" ghost shrimp. As soon as I put the shrimp in my tank my betta went after them. If you have a heavily planted tank it might not be as much of a problem because there are lots of hiding places. Cory cats would be a good option. I have had them with my fish before and they got along great. I also have an oto in with my betta the they leave each other alone.
 
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