Chinese Algae Eaters

epond83 · 11-02-2009, 10:09 PM

The snails (MTS) are nice cause the have harder shells (but yes some fish can still eat them) they also hid is the sunstrate most the day and come out at night so you really don't see them. Most shops if you are more friendly with them will give you a few for free since they breed like crazy. Just but them in a hidden place so they can borrow in before being eaten.

I havn't had flying fox's but i've heard they have simular problems as CAE's but to a lessor extent. So if you can't get oto's or SAE's you could see what types of pleco's they have. The common one gets too big and will not eat much algea later in life. However there are some like the clown, bristle-nose, and rubber lip that stay smaller and will stay on the algea better. Also i belive they are from simular enviroment as south american cichlids so should fit in pretty well with your other fish.

Newman · 11-02-2009, 10:28 PM

check out pitbull pleco as well, as they tend to be as small as otos. they should have similar water requirements as the south american cichlids..

JRB__ · 11-02-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epond83

.....So if you can't get oto's or SAE's you could see what types of pleco's they have. The common one gets too big and will not eat much algea later in life. However there are some like the clown, bristle-nose, and rubber lip that stay smaller and will stay on the algea better. Also i belive they are from simular enviroment as south american cichlids so should fit in pretty well with your other fish.

lol its funny you mention pleco's. read the stocking questions??? thread in the beginners section on the first page to see my trouble with pleco's.. although I have got access to bristlenose. They are referred to as bristlenose catfish not pleco's here (aust) for some reason.. I've already spoken to the pet shop and they've agreed to switch them for two baby peppermint bristlenose.. I love these guys but they're just so expensive down here.. one that is barely an inch long is $40AUD!! (approx $35USD)
I've got a common pleco already and yes he's to big for the 68G.

JRB__ · 11-02-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newman

check out pitbull pleco as well, as they tend to be as small as otos. they should have similar water requirements as the south american cichlids..

I wish.... I've yet to even see one in a LFS here. And I'd hate to think what they'd cost!

OrangeCones · 11-03-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRB__

Arrgghhh! I knew it... thanks for the quick reply.
Well i'm off to remove everything out of my tank and catch these pr*cks..

If you haven't already torn your tank apart, I have a suggestion to catch them. Let me know if you still need them caught.

JRB__ · 11-03-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeCones

If you haven't already torn your tank apart, I have a suggestion to catch them. Let me know if you still need them caught.

I got lazy and haven't done it yet. Whats your suggestion?
So far I have tried a large net placed in the tank and then try to herd one into it with a smaller net
&
Placed a breeding net (net stretched over a frame) on the bottom of the tank on its side and placed a algae wafer inside.. no luck yet...
Thanks

OrangeCones · 11-03-2009, 12:54 AM

Was trying to find the link I had, but found this video that shows it instead of just reading.

YouTube - Homemade DIY Aquarium Fish Trap (Video does not always work in high quality)

JRB__ · 11-03-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeCones

Was trying to find the link I had, but found this video that shows it instead of just reading.

YouTube - Homemade DIY Aquarium Fish Trap (Video does not always work in high quality)

Thanks, I'll check it out

OrangeCones · 11-03-2009, 01:20 AM

If they don't get caught right away, skip feeding a few days, then add the food to the bottle and try when you turn the lights out. Has worked for me everytime.

Matt Nace · 11-03-2009, 11:17 AM

The siamese algae eaters I found are hard to get or you find them in tanks with flying foxes.

I always found that the flying fox had a more solid black band going through the tail while the SAE it became narrow at the tail. I think the FF have color on the fins also but you cant always tell in stores.

There is also a 3rd which I always called a false that looks more like a FF and SAE but the black band actually stops and does not go through the tail. They eat limited algae unlike the SAE and that is all I recall on them. I had one and he came out.

The SAE are truly awesome fish for planted tanks. I had a group of them and they stayed topgether all the time in packs. I dont suggest these fish in a tank with an Oscar unless your moving the Oscar.

The CAE I had by mistake a while ago and it took a complete striping of the tank plus me draining the water..they are that fast. If you get him in a net you leave in there then your awesome...otherwise...good luck

11-02-2009, 10:28 PM	#12
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,819	check out pitbull pleco as well, as they tend to be as small as otos. they should have similar water requirements as the south american cichlids.. __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

11-03-2009, 12:54 AM	#17
OrangeCones Large Fish Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 993	Was trying to find the link I had, but found this video that shows it instead of just reading. YouTube - Homemade DIY Aquarium Fish Trap (Video does not always work in high quality) __________________ ~It is easy to dodge our responsibilities. But we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. ~

11-03-2009, 01:20 AM	#19
OrangeCones Large Fish Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 993	If they don't get caught right away, skip feeding a few days, then add the food to the bottle and try when you turn the lights out. Has worked for me everytime. __________________ ~It is easy to dodge our responsibilities. But we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. ~

11-03-2009, 11:17 AM	#20
Matt Nace Super Fish Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,457	The siamese algae eaters I found are hard to get or you find them in tanks with flying foxes. I always found that the flying fox had a more solid black band going through the tail while the SAE it became narrow at the tail. I think the FF have color on the fins also but you cant always tell in stores. There is also a 3rd which I always called a false that looks more like a FF and SAE but the black band actually stops and does not go through the tail. They eat limited algae unlike the SAE and that is all I recall on them. I had one and he came out. The SAE are truly awesome fish for planted tanks. I had a group of them and they stayed topgether all the time in packs. I dont suggest these fish in a tank with an Oscar unless your moving the Oscar. The CAE I had by mistake a while ago and it took a complete striping of the tank plus me draining the water..they are that fast. If you get him in a net you leave in there then your awesome...otherwise...good luck __________________ -=Matt=- Current tanks: 125 gallon CA cichlid tank 150 gallon African Mbuna tank 10g q-hosp-fry tank

11-02-2009, 10:09 PM	#11
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	The snails (MTS) are nice cause the have harder shells (but yes some fish can still eat them) they also hid is the sunstrate most the day and come out at night so you really don't see them. Most shops if you are more friendly with them will give you a few for free since they breed like crazy. Just but them in a hidden place so they can borrow in before being eaten. I havn't had flying fox's but i've heard they have simular problems as CAE's but to a lessor extent. So if you can't get oto's or SAE's you could see what types of pleco's they have. The common one gets too big and will not eat much algea later in life. However there are some like the clown, bristle-nose, and rubber lip that stay smaller and will stay on the algea better. Also i belive they are from simular enviroment as south american cichlids so should fit in pretty well with your other fish.