Algae Eater for Breeder Tank

Adrahel

AC Members
Jun 16, 2005
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California
I have a seven gallon breeder tank that's developing algae and I was wondering if I could get an algae eater for it to clear that up. What's a good small algae eater that won't eat young fry. I'm thinking of something no more than an inch in size. Is there such a thing?
 
I'll cast my vote for otos too...they are good little cleaners that don't get too big, but I dunno if they will eat fish eggs...probably not fry anyway.
 
What about a red tailed shark. I mean this is probably going to be for livebearers so... I mean I breed tetras too, but they're harder to spawn in a 7 gallon tank I usually just let that happen in the regular tank and I guess if I could, I would just scoop up the eggs when I see up and throw them in the seperate tank. Would that work? And are red tailed sharks aggressive?
 
ALGAE is a big problem
especially when theres young fry or eggs
so i recomend a young siamese catfish
but i would also recomend ottos
never put snail even though they eat algea they have a bacteria which makes the fish
ich and even worce kill
 
A red tailed black shark would be a very bad idea. They need at least 55 gallons because they're quite territorial. Also, they dont eat algae and would probably eat all the fry in the tank. Go for two oto's.

Lambo: Do you have a link or any backup for what you said about snails? I've never heard anything like that before.
 
I was thinking the otocinclus catfish too...they are very mild mannered and very efficient little algae eaters. Not to mention they are really cute and fun to watch :) I have two in my guppy breeding tank and they never touch the fry. :)
 
Why would algae be a bad thing in a breeder tank?

Most of my breeder tanks have algae and no algae eaters. The fry pick at the algae and at what gets stuck in the algae as food. Yes, thye get fed, but they also pick at the algae.

Otos probably won't eat fry, but I don't trust a snail or fish with eggs.

--Mia
 
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lambo said:
ALGAE is a big problem
especially when theres young fry or eggs
so i recomend a young siamese catfish
but i would also recomend ottos
never put snail even though they eat algea they have a bacteria which makes the fish
ich and even worce kill
Wow, a more incorrect statement I have not seen in some time. Snails are fish safe except for egg eating. They do not cause Ich. Ich causes Ich. Also, the siamese catfish is a carnivore, not an algae eater. It devours fry. Algae is not a big problem at all. It is easily dealt with by removing the food and light sources. If it is in a planted tank, proper caer of the plants will reduce the algae as plants outcompete algae for nutrients. Please, research a little before you post.
 
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