I thought I would make a thread where you write down all your experiences with “suckerfish” (example: Butterfly Suckerfish), plecos, bottom scavengers (example: Dojo loach) or any other algae eaters (example: Chinese Algae Eater). I would also like it if you wrote down other fish you have had experiences with (example: guppies or swordtails).
Here are the fish I have experiences with:
Butterfly Suckerfish- In my experience, Butterfly Suckerfish are friendly fish who mind their own business in the tank; cleaning the walls of the tank, plants, and rocks. They are very good at cleaning the tank, too. I have never had any algae in my 10 gallon with one Butterfly Suckerfish. None of my fish were ever bothered by this kind of fish. Although they are shy and usually like to hide in dark places until night time, if they do come out in the day time, which mine does, they are entertaining to watch dart around the tank while managing to stick to the sides of the tank, sucking all the “dirties” out of and off the tank. They live approximately a year and grow no larger than three inches. I suggest no less than a 10 gallon for a pair of Butterfly Suckerfish.
Chinese Algae Eater- In my experience, Chinese Algae Eaters are fight pickers and rather aggressive towards fish of their own species and fish of other species. They turn more aggressive once they are about 3 inches long. I have had one that grew approx. 5 inches. Even if they are in a big tank, a 100 gallon even, they are aggressive will still pick fights. My 3 inch one was in a tank with a betta in a goldfish, it picked a fight with the goldfish and killed it, and ripped the bettas fins apart. He is happier in the 20 gallon with four five-inch fire bellied newts. He keeps their tank clean and does not pick fights with those big guys. Unless you have a tank with salamanders in it that needs some cleaning, don’t get one of these aggressive fish. They are EXCELLENT at cleaning, but horrible with other fish. I suggest no less than a 20 gallon tank with semi-aggressive fish or animals (such as salamanders).
Dojo loach- In my experience, dojo loaches are the best fish I have ever owned. They scavenge extra fish food, eat unwanted snails, and are friendly with fish of their own species and fish of other species. They are also easily trained to eat out of your hand. They are very sweet fish and should not be housed with aggressive fish of any kind. Because they can grow up to 10 inches, no less than a 40 gallon should be suggested.
Kuhli loach – In my experience, Kuhli loaches are friendly fish that mind their own business. They are a smaller version of dojo loaches, but it takes them longer to eat the snails in the tank. They do love the taste of snails, though. They grow up to 4 inches, usually no more than 3 inches. A 10 gallon will be fine for four kuhlis as long as you provide lots of hiding places. They like to hide if it is light out and are very laid back when it is day time, but at night they dart around the tank and scavenge extra food. Feed them at night time so they can eat. At night time they love to swim around crazily, darting around and gulfing down any food they smell. Kuhli loaches live much better in groups, if they do not live in groups their colors fade and they do not do well. Do something great for the fish and if you want a Kuhli loach, buy four at a time, five being better.
Here are the fish I have experiences with:
Butterfly Suckerfish- In my experience, Butterfly Suckerfish are friendly fish who mind their own business in the tank; cleaning the walls of the tank, plants, and rocks. They are very good at cleaning the tank, too. I have never had any algae in my 10 gallon with one Butterfly Suckerfish. None of my fish were ever bothered by this kind of fish. Although they are shy and usually like to hide in dark places until night time, if they do come out in the day time, which mine does, they are entertaining to watch dart around the tank while managing to stick to the sides of the tank, sucking all the “dirties” out of and off the tank. They live approximately a year and grow no larger than three inches. I suggest no less than a 10 gallon for a pair of Butterfly Suckerfish.
Chinese Algae Eater- In my experience, Chinese Algae Eaters are fight pickers and rather aggressive towards fish of their own species and fish of other species. They turn more aggressive once they are about 3 inches long. I have had one that grew approx. 5 inches. Even if they are in a big tank, a 100 gallon even, they are aggressive will still pick fights. My 3 inch one was in a tank with a betta in a goldfish, it picked a fight with the goldfish and killed it, and ripped the bettas fins apart. He is happier in the 20 gallon with four five-inch fire bellied newts. He keeps their tank clean and does not pick fights with those big guys. Unless you have a tank with salamanders in it that needs some cleaning, don’t get one of these aggressive fish. They are EXCELLENT at cleaning, but horrible with other fish. I suggest no less than a 20 gallon tank with semi-aggressive fish or animals (such as salamanders).
Dojo loach- In my experience, dojo loaches are the best fish I have ever owned. They scavenge extra fish food, eat unwanted snails, and are friendly with fish of their own species and fish of other species. They are also easily trained to eat out of your hand. They are very sweet fish and should not be housed with aggressive fish of any kind. Because they can grow up to 10 inches, no less than a 40 gallon should be suggested.
Kuhli loach – In my experience, Kuhli loaches are friendly fish that mind their own business. They are a smaller version of dojo loaches, but it takes them longer to eat the snails in the tank. They do love the taste of snails, though. They grow up to 4 inches, usually no more than 3 inches. A 10 gallon will be fine for four kuhlis as long as you provide lots of hiding places. They like to hide if it is light out and are very laid back when it is day time, but at night they dart around the tank and scavenge extra food. Feed them at night time so they can eat. At night time they love to swim around crazily, darting around and gulfing down any food they smell. Kuhli loaches live much better in groups, if they do not live in groups their colors fade and they do not do well. Do something great for the fish and if you want a Kuhli loach, buy four at a time, five being better.
LOL