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Need an algae eater

Discussion in 'Freshwater General Discussion' started by LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008.

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  1. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Need an algae eater
    Ok, so with my extra light came a bit of a nuisance. I have algae sheeting on to every surface it can (my tank walls, my rocks, the driftwood, some on by broadleaf plants). Anyhow, I dont have green water, just lots of algae on everything.

    I want a algae eating fish. Here are my thoughts and what I am looking for.

    The fish MUST live with a discus, I have heard that your common pleco will suck on the slime coat of discus. This does not surprise me as my common pleco I had with my oscar used to attack him!

    Looking for a smaller fish as I do not want the fish to take over and be the largest thing in the tank.

    Also I honestly am not a fan of your bristlenose plecos. I find them rather ugly although other than that they are perfect.

    Any other ideas?

    ----Added----
    The fish MUST eat algae, too many plecos out there that dont eat algae. Maybe a pleco it the wrong way... I dont know that is why I am asking.
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Well, I was going to recommend a bristlenose until you said you weren't a fan. LoL How about a Rubber Pleco ?
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  3. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Little better, saw one at petsmart a while back ago and almost got it. Do you think they can handle my tank temp? Also will my plants be safe?
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  4. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    how about a golden nugget pleco? Check tangledupincichlids.com for a list of awesome plecos you will not see at the petstore, if you email Jeff (Rapps) and tell him what you are looking for, I am sure he will be more than happy to suggest a few plecos, or other fish that he has that will meet your needs and size specifications. I cannot stress enough that the quality of fish you will get from him is far above and beyond almost everywhere else.
     
    Anonymous, Nov 10, 2008
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  5. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    What's your tank temp again ? I don't think your plants will be in danger.
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  6. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    I do like the gold nugget too.
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  7. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    You have have to slowly acclimate him over the coarse of a few days but after that he should be fine.

    Do Gold Nugget's continue to eat algae as they get larger though ? I know with most "common" plecos as they get older/bigger they stop eating algae and rely on the food that's meant for the fish.
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  8. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Good question? Nelson?
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  9. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    You may want to look at the Rio de Para Pleco.
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  10. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    Too big.... looking for small, maybe a bit larger than a cory (5" max)

    Good looking fish though :cool:
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  11. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Humm. That guy would be perfect if it fit your size limit.

    How about a Gypsy King Tiger Pleco ?
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  12. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

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    hmm, My gold nugget is 4" and he keeps the tank spotless. Hes in my plated tank, that gets tremendous light and fertilizer and I have yet to have an algae problem. If you really want to keep your algae down throw a couple of snails and a loach (to keep the snail population down) in the tank.
     
    Anonymous, Nov 10, 2008
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  13. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    The only problem with that it seems he is a carnivore more-so than an algae eater..... Again great fish.... dont know if it will do the work I want it to. :confused:
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  14. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Which is a carnivore ?
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  15. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    the L66/L333 pleco... the last one you recommended.

    I like the snail/loach idea, but I am scared of the snails..... I have read that the loach will live with the discus.... but again, scared of the snails....
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  16. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Where do you see it listed as a carnivore ? I just looked it up and saw it as an omnivore.

    Snails scare me too. (In freshwater tanks)
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  17. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=174" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... ies_id=174</a> and the L333 which is the same fish, different eye color <a class="postlink" href="http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=1024" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... es_id=1024</a> This site seems to have a lot on catfish. If you scroll below the pictures they say it is more carnivorous. Scares me with the Discus. All I need is to pick out a pleco with a taste for slime coating (the Discus' lifeline)
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  18. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    That's odd. *Shrugs*

    Throw several Otto cats in there. :)
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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  19. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Thread Starter Active Member

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    That as funny as it may be, may be the way for me to go. It fits the environment, my fish, the plants, the food.... I think I found the answer. PLUS they wont interrupt the corydoras from cleaning up leftover food. Each member of the community has its designed role!
     
    LemonDiscus, Nov 10, 2008
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  20. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Yep. I love my Otto cat, even though I haven't seen him in months. He would swim to my hand and sit there while I was moving plants in my tank.
     
    Anthony, Nov 10, 2008
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