we already have two gold fish and two upside down catfish in the tank. we put florescent bulbs in the living room and now the algea is flourishing in the fish tank. i would like to know what kind of fish or anything really that would get rid of this.
2007-05-10 11:14:09 · 7 answers · asked by Morganna 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Snails work well, however once your goldfish get a little bigger, the snails will become a light snack. Goldfish LOVE snails, as I recently found out. In just a day and a half, 6 of my snails were sucked clean out of their shells. I would get a small common plecostomus "sucker fish". They might not be the prettiest fish, but they do the job. They are very cheap, non-threatening, hide during the day, and clean your tank at night. Even the smallest ones at the pet store will grow into a decent sized fish in a few short months. Make sure you are prepared for a big fish in a year or two... they grow FAST. Your local pet store or WalMart probably carries several varieties starting at only $1-$2 for a small, plain one and selling for as much as $40-$50 for a fancier colorful one. All will clean your tank equally as good. It just depends on which one catches your eye if looks are important. (I personally wouldn't waste my money on an expensive one as they will probably hide most of the day anyway...) Just be sure there is a rock or a plant for him to hide in, as most "Cleaner fish" work during the night and hide and sleep during the day.
Chinese algae eaters start off very small and will eat a lot of algae, however once they mature they can become territorial and will stop eating algae in place of fish food. They will also grow very big very fast! I have one (7") and he seems to be doing fine with my other fish, but I've heard horror stories of gold algae eaters attacking weaker fish and sucking holes into them.
Another thing to try is cleaning/scrubbing the tank more often, try a couple of water changes, and limiting the ammount of exposure to direct sunlight. Keep your overhead light on for no more than 9 hours a day, and keep it turned off at night. Most pet stores also sell algae removing chemicals and tablets. I haven't tried any, and some chemicals are a joke; others work great! Ask a pet store specialist which one their store uses.
-GOOD LUCK-
2007-05-10 11:44:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
My favorite algae eater is the algae scraper. These come in a variety of different species, from squeegees to magnets to sponges, they all work great. Seriously, you should not get a fish just to eat algae. Excessive algae is usually caused by poor water quality from overfeeding and/or too many fish. Regular water changes and a tank that is not overstocked is the best way to control algae.
2016-05-20 00:15:41 · answer #2 · answered by inocencia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are two fish effecient at eating algae. one is simply called an algae eater the other which i prefer is a pleco or plecostomus. it looks like something from "two thousand leagues under the sea. also certain types of snails clean algae, such as the peruvian apple snail.
2007-05-10 11:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any kind of fish that has a sucker mouth. Such as a pleco, chinese algae eater, or and kind of catfish that has a sucker mouth.
2007-05-10 12:12:10 · answer #4 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can buy a chemical algicide at your pet shop, but the fun thing to do is watch a plain plecostomus get 18 inches long.
2007-05-10 12:29:28 · answer #5 · answered by william a 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Snails.
Natures little cleaners.,
and for salt water fish tanks cleaner shrip..
they really are just like the one on finding nemo
2007-05-10 11:21:51 · answer #6 · answered by IRONic Maiden 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
a catfish i have one and i dont have to feed him much cause he just eats the algea
2007-05-10 11:21:32 · answer #7 · answered by ~♥Faithy♥~ 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋