How many algae eaters should I have?

[kooter]

I know this could be quite the debate but the rubberlip I have is only 2" long and it's a BIG tank for this little guy. What should I get to help him out? I have been noticing that the glass gets "dirty" fairly quickly. I don't know what it is, it's not brown or green, just like fuzzy. Any info. would be great thanks!

 

[UncaBret]

How big are the other fish?

 

[IceH2O]

I would think you could get a shoal of otto cats,6 or so,they love algae and don't get really big.I'd just be worried the angel might eat them.I'm sure someone will chime in on the compatibility issue.

 

[kooter]

I've updated my signature to reflect the size of my fish. All still very small.

 

[Bitsy]

If it were me I would get a snail. If you get one of the black mystery snails or the gold apple snail you don't have to worry about infestation as they need a male and a female to breed. You have a fairly large tank so I don't know if one could keep up, but there is not a single spot of algea in my tank since I purchased my gold snail. Maybe add some amano or cherry red shrimp as I've heard they eat some algea as well. That's my 2 cents.
Elizabeth

 

[sayembara]

add otos, ..let's say 6 and see the result. So small and compatible with most fishes.

shrimps ..despite good algae cleaners, I'm not too sure if they wat to be with the clown loach.

snails...not many will be happy with clown loach but Malaysian trumpet snails would be a good try. Mine still breeding in the lone loach's tank.

so, summary: more otos and MTS.

 

[themadblimper]

I said something about this before, so let me repost what I already said and quote myself:

"Watch the ottos as the angels get larger. There have been surgical procedures required on removing ottos from the mouths of angels before. (Mostly altum angels, but some scalares as well.)

Angelfish can be like this sometimes: :Angel:

Yeah, the ottos stick their fins straight out as the angels try to swallow them, and they stay that way even after they die. The otto gets stuck in the throat of the angel, so you gotta cut up the otto to save the angel.

Been there, done that... "

The lesson? Dont keep ottos with hungry angelfish.

 

[sayembara]

Of course, feed you angles well.

p/s: i've yet to see more incidents of angels eating otos...

 

[Galaxie]

Of course, feed you angles well.

p/s: i've yet to see more incidents of angels eating otos...

I'd put a couple more plecos in there. ..and I'd be worried about the ottos with angels around also.

 

[kooter]

Thanks everyone. I went to the LFS and saw a bunch of Otto's for 1.99 ea.
excellent deal but I don't want to be surgically removing them from the angels. I think I will get 1 more pleco and see what happens, I've been watching the rubber lip the last couple days and he's awesome!