Is my Chinese Algae eater hurting my goldfish?

Question

My tank is set up in my office and I have never personally seen the algae eater attack my goldfish, he lives in this little cave stays in there most of the time. He's about 3inches, my fantail goldfish are about 1-2 inches. I feed him waffers but I noticed that the larger goldfish was missing some scales (and seems to be more of them now) I've also never seem them. At first I thought he might be sick (dropsy) but he eats well and swims around with the others. I have plastic plants and rocks troughout the tank but I notice that they all hang out at the opposite side of the tank, I just thought they did that because I'm there... My point is, is my algae eater hurting my goldfish, but also will the scales grow back and is there any other type of algae eater compatible with Goldfish?

Answer 1

It can and it probably is. Chinese algae eaters are notoriously aggressive. The other thing with them is as they get older they start looking to supplement their vegan diets with some protein, especially if there isn't enough algae for them to eat in the tank. The source of protein they seem to like is fish slime. Goldfish have a habit of resting on the bottom at night, just when the algae eater gets going. My guess is he's finding your goldfish and latching on them to get the slime. This will eventually kill your goldfish. You need to take him out of there. Really goldfish graze on algae a bit so see if you really need an algae eater in the tank.

If you do I would suggest a brushy mouth pleco. They don't get very large and stick to a good vegan diet their whole lives.
Good luck.

Answer 2

I've never heard anything good about the chinese alge eater, id go with a little pleco but keep in mind they do grow quickly and will outgrow a small tank eaisly, you can look around for some species like the hong kong pleco aka a butterfly pleco, fairly cheap and dont get much bigger than a few inches but will do just as good of a job. also yea, they will grow back..jus make sure the water is of decent quality and he dosent get too stressed (dont move a lot of things around and jus leave him be other than feedings..id also give him some time to recoup before adding another tankmate). Goldfish are hardy and can live through just about anything if they dont die right away lol. Hope it helps

Answer 3

Chinese algae eaters can get aggressive, and could be hurting your goldfish. They are great for tanks with aggressive fish (like african cichlids) because they are tough and can take punishment as well as dish it out. Wikipedia had this to say about the Chinese algae eater also: "It has a reputation for becoming increasingly jealous of its territory as it matures, and also can be aggressive to fish, especially slow, flat-bodied fish"

The best algae eater for goldfish (or any non agressive fish) is the Plecostomus; even it becomes territorial as it gets bigger and you will likely have to replace it because it can get as big a 2 feet in length.

Answer 4

Instead of an algea eater fish you can keep a single ramshorn snail, one keeps my 30 gal tank algea free, he munches on diatoms (brown algea) too, You have to give a few drops of calcium every once & awhile to protect his shell (especially in soft water conditions)and a few leafy greens now and again but I give greens to my goldies anyway. I think there is no better tank mate for a goldfish, and completely passive. As a pleco gets larger it will become more territorial and may attack your goldfish as well... the snail will never attack...I promise

Answer 5

Tropical fresh water fish should not be in the same tank with goldfish.
Tropical fish need warmer water
Goldfish need cooler water - I don't heat my Gold fish tank
From what I have read - some fish that are sold as Siamese Algae eaters can be rather aggressive.
I suggest you separate these two different groups of fish for their own good.

Good luck

Answer 6

It very well may be the CAE doing the damage. Of course, the fish could be scraping against something in the tank, but that's doubtful really. My first guess based on what you have said would be the same as you must be thinking, the CAE is the villian.

MM

Answer 7

I know that Chinese algae eaters can be very aggressive if you want an algae eater that is passive get a plecostimus ...they can get big but I think they grow to capacity but you should ask your fish store if there is a Big Als near you go there I think they are all over North America

Answer 8

Algea eaters are tropical fish, and gold fish are in the goldfish category. Normally, youre not supposed to mix them unless they are certain types of tropical fish that will live in peace with the goldfish.

Answer 9

chris said it perfectly about the species. Check the quality of your water too.