Tiny Terrors

[Firsttanks]

Hi there, this isn't really a brackish question, but it is about puffers.
We have a 25 gal hex tank with 6 Indian Dwarf Puffers & 4 Bumblebee Gobies residing in it (for the full story of these cute little terrors click on this link):
http://forum.tropicalaquariums.info/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=1177

I have noticed that the algae is starting to build up in the tank, and I was wondering if anyone could suggest a suitable algae sucking tankmate that isn't likely to get too chewed up by our little darlings . We tried ghost shrimp, but they either got eaten, or went the way of the filter. Snails, ummm thems good eatin, no luck there. A pack of 3 albino corycats to clean up the bottom, wheeee, a midnight nipfest . STRIKE 3!!
What we would like to add is something 3 inches or less that will clean up the algae, while managing to not get too chewed up, and not disturb the peace that has been established in the Tiny Terror Tank.

Any suggestions you may have will be appreciated.

 

[OrionGirl]

I'd get a large mystery snail or an apple snail. IME, the puffers can't damage the thick shells of the adults. It may be harrassed, but not killed. My dwarves are in my community tank, and excluding a bit of chasing the gouramies, they ignore everyone else in the tank, including the large cories, bristlenose, CAE, kuhlis', etc. Yours might be nastier, but it might be owrth looking into a single, large algae eating fish.

Short of that, make sure food isn't going uneaten, and reduce the photo period, and manual cleaning of the algae.

 

[Firsttanks]

Manual cleaning, eewwww. Maybe I'll look for a big snail, worst that can happen is the kids get a treat for supper .

 

[Firsttanks]

Oh, about them being a bit nastier, I forgot to mention that in their former tank they killed a 2 1/2 inch Mabuna Cichlid that came sniffing around the pack.
The only ones I've found that stand up to them(without hurting them) are the Bumblebees.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Keep in mind that BB gobys are BW fish! My dwarfs do take small bites out of my fist-sized apple snail, but it doesn't seem to notice. Also, you could try a dwarf btistlenose pleco.

 

[Firsttanks]

Ya I know the BBGs prefer brackish, and I'm hoping to set up a BW tank in the near furture, maybe try mudskippers. But for know the little guys seem happy, they eat well, their colors are nice and bright, and they come to the fromt of the tank to see us (most times) .

 

[Firsttanks]

I picked up 3 large Golden snails, they seem to be doing a good cleanup job. Hoping they breed and supply the pack with free treats.