dwarf otocinclus or SAE???

[chunkylover817]

So i have a 55gal tank and 6 SAE and i was wondering, b/c i have a algae problem, is this enough for a 55gal tank?or would otos be a better choice? i forgot to mention that for right now i have the tank divided in half, so really i have 6 SAEs in half a 55.After saying that im beginning to think the SAEs arent even eating the algae but snatching some from my altums when i feed them brine/mysis shrimp, could they be getting used to eating the shrimp? Would anyone recommend otos instead?? or anything else that eats algae but isnt a shrimp. thanks for any help.

 

[Bk718]

What algae do you have in the tank??
Most of the time its best to control the factor thats causing the algae instead of getting fish to get rid of it..
But that said it also depends on the algae. SAE's wont eat all algae, they known to eat bba and staghorn, otos are known to eat green spot algae..

 

[chunkylover817]

i have green spot algae and im not sure about the other, i will describe it though,its like a thick green slime thats easy to wipe off the leaves of the plants it grows on. i was also considering getting a few big snails.

 

[Bk718]

get otos, they will get green spot algae fast. even that "slimy" algae thats found on some leaves. 6-8 would be good for a tank your size, but that depends on what your other stock is..
If you want algae fighting snails go for nerite or mts, all others are somewhat useless against it..

 

[jpappy789]

I like to stop the problem first. Cut down on lighting and feeding and see what happens before buying fish...just my suggestion.

 

[DAVIDFBT]

Or add a CO2 source. Go with the otos, there better at cleaning up the slimy algea.

 

[Lupin]

Chunky has altums. Otos will only disappear into their guts. Best not get the otos.

 

[jpappy789]

Good catch! I wouldn't get otos then...for sure. It's only a matter of time before they would disappear forever.

 

[fishorama]

My SAEs are 4-6 inches, not much room for 6 after a while. One of my favs , after loaches of course.

 

[chunkylover817]

i put in an oto and it swam right in front of the altums and they didnt seem to care about it, so hopefully i won't regret it. thanks for all the help guys