I just purchased a algea eater and put him in my betta tank, the tank is about 8 inches by 10 inches and 16 inches high,I have a grown male betta in it also and was wondering if it is normal for the algea eater to be chasinghim around and nipping or sucking on his tail, the algea eater seems to be damaging his tail, should I take my betta out of the tank and put him into another tank or will he be okay in the tank that he is in now,my male betta seems to hide from him everytime he goes after him.
2007-03-25 07:15:05 · 7 answers · asked by brenda b 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Your algae eater is most likely a Chinese algae eater. This fish will out grow yout betta tank in no time at all and until it does will hassle your betta endlessly. They are fairly aggressive, nasty little beasts all in all. I would suggest you return him and maybe use a snail for algae control in that tank.
MM
2007-03-25 07:36:02 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are referring to the fish sold as "algae eater" and not a pleco, etc., take him BACK. These are the Chinese algae eater and they basically suck the slime coating off other fish in the tank when they are hungry. The slime coating is what protects your fish. There is another algae eater called the Siamese Algae Eater. They are not so readily available as the Chinese type but are less likely to kill your other fish. The common Chinese variety will grow to 8 inches and is very aggressive to slow-moving, slender bodied fish...such as your betta.
2007-03-25 14:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by Barb R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many algae eaters and betta fish do not get along. One type of algae eater which does a good job, looks cool, and gets along with my betta is the Otocinclus Catfish (commonly referred to as the Otto Cat). Bring that fishy back and exchange it for the otto cat, it should not be chasing or biting at your betta. (I recentley moved my oto pair into a tank with a gourami and literally the otto just sat on the bottom of the tank and let the gourami "feel" him/her/it, it was really amusing!)
2007-03-25 15:09:35 · answer #3 · answered by Alison B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what kind of algae eater you have, but that is very normal behavior for many fish that are sold as "algae eaters."
Chinese algae eaters are known for this, as it is their natural behavior. They eat algae as juvies, but as they grow they feed on the slime of live fish.
Other fish that do this are common plecos and other species of plecos, false siamese algae eaters, flying foxes(sometimes), to name a few.
2007-03-25 15:09:43 · answer #4 · answered by fish guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would think it would be the other way around, bettas are very territorial, and i suggest that you put them in different tanks, especially if it looks like the betta is being hurt.
2007-03-25 14:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take the slgae eater out. even if it is just a fish it is considered animal cruelty to just watch him hide. >:(
2007-03-25 14:19:26 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Rayyhol♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, they clean the fish.... and some are very playful...its fun and safe
2007-03-25 14:22:46 · answer #7 · answered by mazzygirl83 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋