Algae Eaters

[Dodenburg]

I have just bought a 30" x 18" tank, with Internal filter, and air pump. I have used plastic decorative plants for now, and hve 7 fish plus a small algae eater that sticks to everything. What I needed to know is should I have got the algae eater, with not having real plants and will there be something for it to eat, if not I can quickly take it back to the aquarium and select something else.

(It's a coldwater tank)
Thanx

 

[gsk177]

I guess what we really need to know is if you have a SAE or a pleco.

A simple rule is though, if you dont have any algae growth in your tank, the simple answer would be that ehy dont have anything to eat.
You could easily give them some algae tabs which can be had at your LFS, or maybe just blanch some lettuce from your fridge and drop a small piece in there.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

You never said what kind of algae eater... there are many.

And I couldn't accurately calculate the size of aquarium, because you only gave 2 of the (needed) 3 measurements to translate that into gallons.

 

[Dodenburg]

The Algae eater is a pleco, and the tank is 30"(w) x 18"(D) x 24" (H)

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Ok, so it is in fact a 55-gallon tank (us gallons btw). According to the size of the aquarium, you can technically have the Pleco, but beware; they can bully certain fish, and can have quite the attitudes.

What other fish do you have in this tank?

 

[fishpoor]

Live plants or not, you're going to need the pleco, unless you REALLY enjoy cleaning algae off the sides of your tank. The only thing is if its a common, its going to get big. In my experience this isn't a problem as far as bothering the other fish, its that eventually its not going to fit in your tank. If you know someone with a huge tank that will take him when he outgrows yours, no problem. In the meantime supplement his algae diet with zucchini, nuked, skinned peas, and,or algae wafers.

 

[ryknier]

stupid question, do pelcos eat brown algae or not recommended?

 

[gonefishin]

Did any of you notice the coldwater note at the bottom? Last I checked plecos are tropical fish and won't last long in a coldwater tank. I think dod should be in the coldwater section for advise on that tank.

D, please return that fish ASAP if you want it to live. I looked at the species profile, and the only coldwater suckers there are rare, accept for the semi-rare northern hog sucker. Since I know nothing about coldwater fish (other than how to catch them for din-din) I cannot advise you further