algae eaters...recommendations?

my otos like to hide. I'm forever looking for them because I'm worried about them.:rolleyes: I had a bad algae problem when I got them and I added them, 2 SAEs and plants to my tank. It was clear in days. I think the otos did most of it because the SAEs appear to enjoy fish food more than algae. If you don't have algae now, I would wait on getting otos, just less to worry about because they DON'T eat regular fish food so you would have to supplement their diet. (Even if you had algae you'd still need to feed them occasionally though IMO) I love my otos, though I suppose they are a little boring.:)
Ghost shrimp are only in my tank because they are a "cheap thrill" - 29 cents each. You can't really see them in your tank unless you are REALLY looking, so they aren't that great if you want something interesting to watch. I probably won't get anymore when these are gone. I don't think they eat algae at all, they mostly just swipe fish food when they can, and pilfer through the substrate looking for uneaten food or maybe a little poop?. When I was at Walmart last week some of them were chowing down on a dead fish in the bottom of one of their tanks. I think I would like the Cherry Amanos better because they would be more visible and I think they may eat some algae.
 
i got 1 cae in a 55 gallon to clean the glass and 3 sae for the black beard problem
sae dont clean the glass at all
the cae clean the glass really good
i have had no problems with my cae
 
I've got two Amano shrimp - everything I've read about them leads me to belive they're going to be excellent algae eaters but I haven't had them long enough to give an opinion of that yet.
I do know that at this point they are just about the most entertaining thing in my tank - quite a bit of the time I find them digging through the gravel or cleaning the plants/decorations - but occasionally they'll go completely spastic - swimming around the tank as fast as their little legs will propel them. They definately add an "interest" factor to the tank.

Bear
 
if its algea on the glass, get a darn scraper and get in there! hah but if its on the leaves, that can suck, i think the ottos are the best bet, they are gentle lil guys
 
Originally posted by jb_lyndon


It's not that I need to get one (don't have an algae problem) I was however under the impression that having algae eaters was a very good idea for any tank. Am I wrong? Oh and do bristlenoses behave similarly to common plecos?

adblair I want to ask you about your otos...
could you give me an idea of their behaviour?
Do they have a tendency (like common plecos do) to spend most of their time just boringly sucking glass and hiding out. Or are they more active and interesting? Oh and your ghost shrimp... other than their ritualistic cannibalism, are you happy with them? Do they eat a significant amout of algae? and how big will they get?
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I own bristlenoses because of their look and behaviour and not for their algae eating ability. If you like them, you should get them but prepare to add some vegetables in addition to algaes in the tank. At least my bristlenoses are not shy - I can always detect 3 out of 4 all the time...

On the other hand, ottos are more difficult to detect. In fact I haven't seen one of them for over a week so I'm begining to wonder if it is still alive... I need to look for it..
 
Originally posted by yhbae


At least my bristlenoses are not shy
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Thanks yhbae.
You said you have 4... was wondering siince I've read that they'll reach 4-8" will a single one be good for a 25 gallon (I doubt they need to be kept in pairs or more). How big are yours? and how long have you had them?

adblair, cherry ammanos do sound good... sounds like they'll share the load nicely with my potential bristlenose.

:OT: Finally got a weather loach yesterday. He's super cool. I'd recommend one to anybody. We stayed up late playing simon says ;) when I purse my lips like a fish and open my mouth he immitates me... no kidding... he seems super smart. Maybe he's just being a smart a%# and mocking me.
 
Will red cherry amano shrimp alone be sufficient in a 25g? I understand that they would do little to clean the glass, but I can take care of that myself. Thinking they'd do well on plants and driftwood though. Just unsure and worried about the biolad of a 4-8" bristlenose or 3-4 otos? Hoping shrimp will be enough. what do you think?
 
You might want to also look into a Rubber or Rubberlipped/nosed pleco...i put one in my 55 gallon Mbuna tank and hes done an AMAZING job at keeping it algae free, and in my opinion, i think its better looking than a bristlenosed! They dont seem to touch my live plants either.
 
Since you don't already have any algae maybe they (amano shrimp) would be fine to start with, and if you need more you could add something else later. I think adding plants to my tank helped a lot with my algae problems, and I plan to add even more soon. IMHO I would just start simple and add more later as needed. Of course, if amano shrimp are like my ghost shrimp, you may not have any after a month and you may need to add something else to take their place..... you know something that doesn't eat its friends....:D
 
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