my pleco algae-eater fish seems to be growing too quickly, anyone know of a substitute?

Question

i'm gonna guess they're not necessary, but i want them to help keep the tank clean (visible)

i hear the plecos grow very large very quickly... what are some other fish/creatures that will also eat the algae and not overgrow the tank so quickly

Answer 1

Common plecos will get rather large - about 18 inches (45 cm). There are pleco species that won't get this big. If you have a "medium" sized tank, a bristlenose pleco or rubberlip pleco will only get around 5 inches (12-13 cm).

If the tank is smaller, consider getting otocinclus catfish. These only get around 1 1/2 inches (3-4 cm), but are most comfortable if they're in a school, so get about 3. They're also a little sensitive to water quality, so only add them after the tank has been running for a few months.

You could also get nerite snails (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1076 ) if you have a tropical tank. These won't overpopulate the tank, because they need salt or brackish water to reproduce. A single mystery snail would also work, because the males and females are separate. You will have to watch the first 6 months or so to see if yours lays eggs. The females are capable of storing sperm, and can produce fertile young for that amount of time. The eggs are laid above the water, so they're at least easy to remove. Shrimp could also be used. depending on what fish are in the tank. Ghost shrimp (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1468 ) or Amano shrimp (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1843 ) are fairly popular and peaceful with fish: http://www.freshwaterinverts.com/shrimp_algae_eating.html

Answer 2

You can get Siamese Algae Eaters which eats hair algae but if you do make sure its a real one and not the fake ones.

You can get a King Tiger Pleco which grows around 6inches.

If your tank only has small fishes like neon tetras you can get a group of 6 otos

And never get a Chinese Algae eater their name "algae eater" is from the sucker-mouth appearance and they eat algae only when young, when mature they wont eat algae and will hang on to any fish that passes by and will remove the slime coat and/or kill it. At the same time they grow 1/2feet.

Hope this info helps
WT

Answer 3

Get a small school of otoclincus catfish. Those should do the trick. However, I doubt they will get rid of a fullblown algae problem - that would need to be treated by regulating the amount of light your tank gets and maybe adding some fast-growing plants like moss balls or water sprite.

Answer 4

if algae aren't a really big problem you should rather buy a small amount (10-12) shrimps. one of the easiest to keep fresh water dwarf shrimp species is neocaridina denticulata sinensis (red), called red cherry shrimp. they eat algae, decomposing plant leaves and all fish food fishes leave to them.

if you have a real algae problem then maybe you should rather find out the reason for it instead of trying to cure the symptoms.

Answer 5

I had a 2 plecos that did no longer stay somewhat that long. while the oldest one died, he/she replaced into almost a foot long. I wrapped him up in some paper towels and buried the physique interior the flower mattress of my house construction (I did it at night while no person replaced into finding :) ). it somewhat is fertilizer now.

Answer 6

Britslenose catfish. They look like the pleco but have bristles nose the nose, hence the name bristlenose. Borneo suckers are good too.