BBA vs SAE vs Rosy Barb

[Flavius]

I bought 2 SAE for my BBA outbreak, but they seem to prefer flake food, although I occasionally saw them chewing on BBA as well. I heard Rosy Barbs eat BBA too and they are non-aggressive in groups of 6+. I'm afraid for my angels though. Anyone had any experience with that?

 

[Slappy*McFish]

American Flag Fish are another option.

 

[Flavius]

Thanks, I read about it, but very hard to find in Canada.

 

[gmh]

The Rosy Barbs probably won't make any difference. You already have way more algae eaters than your tank will be able to hold. I'd lose all the fish on the bottom of your stocking list except one SAE. Two of them together often end up in nasty fights eventually.
Is the algae all over the tank or just in a few locations? Spot treating with Flourish Excell or H2O2 should help. Increased water changes and reduced fish load should also help.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

To get SAEs to chow down seriously on bba you have to stop feeding the tank.

 

[pinkertd]

I have two in my 75G, and while they do eat everything else I offer in the tank, including zuchinni, they also constantly clean the leaves of the plants. It's the only way I can run two bulbs on that tank is to have them. The only algae they don't eat is at the top of the tank on a couple of retrospiralis leaves, they are right on the surface so they can't get to them. I pulled one of my 2 1/2 foot crypt usteriana leaves off for them one day from my 55G. It had been right under the lights for a long time and was covered with all sorts of weird growths. I stuck the stem in the gravel of the 75G and those two SAE's had a ball. They only left behind a small bit of BBA. I would skip the barbs with the angels in there.

I would suggest to you to also dose with flourish excel to kill the old BBA. You may have to cut some of the leaves off too. New BBA growth is more tender and readily eaten and your SAE's won't let it grow in again. And they are hungry all the time, they are not full grown until they reach about 6" so.....they are growin babies. Mine only chase each other when I throw food in for the plecos. Other than that they are constant companions...swim together, sleep in the same spot, and they nudge each other and appear to actually groom each other.

 

[gmh]

Keep an eye on those SAEs anyway. I had two and they had some violent fights. Had to remove one but he died of his wounds. Maybe they were both males, but I have heard others report that two often do not get along.
You also do not have a big enough tank to house two adult SAEs or those CAEs or the Clown Loach.

 

[plantbrain]

Since growing plants is the main focus/goal here, why not do that. BBA means not enough CO2 and poor adaption for the plants. You can go non CO2, but need lots of good aggressive growers for the tank and decent balance for the plant demands and fish waste.

Then no water changes...........

Or you can opt for water changes and go with Excel or CO2 additions.
Up to you.

SAE's are decent, but pretty much icing on the cake.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[pinkertd]

Keep an eye on those SAEs anyway. I had two and they had some violent fights. Had to remove one but he died of his wounds. Maybe they were both males, but I have heard others report that two often do not get along.

Hope mine don't fight, how long had you had them before the fighting started? I was told don't just get one, they need company.

 

[gmh]

Debbi, I had mine a couple months with no major fighting. When they reached adult size the fighting became violent. Maybe they were both males, maybe my 40 gallon was just too small for the two of them.
What I have read is it is better to have either one alone, or a group of a few, so as to spread out any aggression. You have a pretty big tank though.
I would not want two 4-5 inch SAEs sharing a 30 gallon.