Algae in my 10g tank, what fish should I get?

Question

I've had my fish tank for about a month now and it has 2 serpae tetras, 2 zebra danios and 1 tiger barb (all were under 1/2 an inch when i got them and are growing great) Unlike people have told me, the tank is working out great and the fish barely nip at each other. I woke up this morning and saw a lot of algae by my heater and I was wondering if I should get a fish to clean the tank.

I've seen Pleco's at the pet store and I agree that they'll outgrow the tank. Would Otto's be at Petsmart? and Would they be compatible with my tank.

Answer 1

A small bushynosed pleco would do well in a 10g tank. I have many of them spread around in my tanks and only have algae in the tanks without them. The bushynose is a dwarf species and only grows to about 5 inches tops.

The five fish you have in your tank are a good mix and shouldn't cause you any trouble at all. The only one to be a nipper would be the tiger barb and that probably won't be a problem since you have raised them together. If he does start getting agressive, you still have room to add 3-4 more tiger barbs for him to interact with without causing crowding as long as you have a good filter on the tank.

Tiger barbs like to play fight and will confine their battles to each other as long as you have a group of 5-6. Plus, they are beautiful fish.

Good luck.

Answer 2

An Oto is a good algae eater. They do tend to die easily in the 1st couple of weeks. A Siamese algae eater is a good algae eater as well. Both these fish are hard to find in most fish stores, and often other fish are mislabeled as them. An apple/mystery snail or 2 would do a good job in a 10 gallon tank as well. (The breed very slow unlike the small ones that tend to come on plants you buy in the store.)

Plecos vary greatly in size, behavior, and algae eating. There are at least 50 species in the fish trade. The so called common pleco is generally one of 3 different fish. One of which grows to nearly 2 feet in length. You might have luck with a small breed pleco, but your tanks a little small.

Avoid the common/chinese algae eater as it grow nearly a foot in length, and develops a taste for fish latter in life.

Answer 3

I don't think you should get an algae eater. It is a myth that every tank needs an algae eater. In fact, I disagree with your mix of fish to begin with. You have 3 different types of schooling fish that all need to be in groups of 6 of the same species. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but just because the fish have coexisted peacefully for 1 month does not mean that they will coexist peacefully and thrive for the rest of their lives. Here are the problems with your fish so far...

1. Zebra danios, although small, need lots and lots of swimming space, as well as a group of at least 6 of their own kind. A 10 gallon tank is too small for these fish.

2. Tiger barbs need a group of 6 of their own kind. They grow to about 3 inches in length and a 10 gallon tank is too small to keep 6 of these fish healthy, even with no tank mates. If not kept in a group, these fish will EVENTUALLY become aggressive.

3. Serpae tetras need to be in a group of at least 6 and need at least 24 inches of swimming room. Your tank is not large enough for this.

So...you have three types of schooling fish, none of which are suitable for your tank. If you want your fish to thrive, you should bring the fish back to the store and choose something that is more suitable for a 10 gallon. Some suggestions are platys (up to 5 males), guppies (up to 5 males), endlers livebearers (up to 5 males), neon tetras (at least 6 and up to 10), one betta and a couple of african dwarf frogs...

If you would like to do something about the algae on the glass, get an algae magnet at the pet store.

Answer 4

just to piggyback on what's already been said. For a tank yours' size(ok not an english teacher) I wouldn't get a pleco as they get quite large. I would go for the smaller Chinese algae eaters, otocinclus, many of the livebearers like guppies eat algae, or even some the algae eating shrimp. Just remember that most fish aren't going to "clean" out the algae entirely so they can have some for later. There are also chemicals that help keep your algae at bay. But don't worry it's not a bad thing to get rid of.

Answer 5

Lots of people have said plecos and they are wrong. Rarely will a pleco go around the tank and clean it. My pleco has never touched the walls of my tank. They just stay in the same spot and suck on the algae in that spot. Often you have to give them algae discs as well. Definitely go for something like a Chinese algae eater. These will actually keep your tank spotless.

Answer 6

you dont need a fish to clean the tank, just get an algea pad & scrub it off or an algea magnet that way you dont even have to get wet. Algea is an indicator of a healthy tank, too much algae may indicate a nitrate spike which means it is time for a water change...
Just stay on top of your tank maintanenece. Another fish will just add to the bioload, and most algea eating fish grow much too large for a ten gallon tank. good luck to ya

Answer 7

I have 2 chinese algae eaters in a 38 gallon tank and they keep it spotless. For your size, 1 should do the job.

Answer 8

For a ten gallon i would get 3 oto catfish. they only get 1.5 inches and eat algae pretty well. the only problem is that they die easily at first unless your water conditions are good. THEY WILL NOT TOLLERATE POOR WATER MANAGEMENT! but i started with three in my 5 gal with a betta and two died fairly quick but i learned that most of them you buy are starving at a pet store. the remaining one has been in there for about 3 months and is great. he doesnt even need a heater.

Answer 9

they have those long sponges to clean it out yourself (which I would recomend, because you have a heavy fish load in your tank) you could also try snails or a chinese algae eater...DO NOT get a pleco..they grow huge and make a large waste mess.

Answer 10

I say snails are the best way to go. Small enough not to get in the way, and they work around the clock. Why not get a whole cleaning crew, Buy a few they're cheap!