Algae Eater?

[riseabovethesun]

For quite some time I've been wanting an algae eater for my 36 gallon (inhabitants are in the signature). I know CAE are awful and I've heard that SAE at times are no better.

Does anybody have any input? Or what may be a better choice?

Oh and I don't really have any severe outbreaks of algae that are in dire need of attention, but I'd like to have an algae eater in there. The nerite snails are fantastic but they are insanely $$$.

 

[Fishman1995]

Id recomend Oto's, Garra's, or horseface loachs.

 

[TAL]

I was thinking oto's or SAE's myself.

 

[OrangeCones]

I love otos (have 22 myself), but beware that if you do not have enough algae, you need to supplement their diet, and not all otos will eat algae-wafers. Only one of my oto species will munch on wafers, the rest will only eat algae or blanched veggies. If I didn't make 'algae longs' and 'algae rocks' for them, they would starve.

 

[Fishman1995]

whats the min tank size for a pair of otos oc?

 

[lauraf]

Mercedes, SAE's are okay. It's the CAE's that are awful. I have one SAE in my tank, and while he's grown huge he still nibbles at the algae and doesn't bother any other fish.
Don't get CAE's. I mistakenly got two, and not only were they quickly turning to sucking at the mucus slime of my other fish, they were insanely hard to catch in order to rehome!

 

[OrangeCones]

whats the min tank size for a pair of otos oc?

I've never kept a 'pair of otos' so can't say, Fishman1995. As already answered in another thread where you asked the same question: 20 gallons and 5 otos, not a pair. Well established planted tank and the ability to provide algae (not just wafers) or they will likely starve.

 

[Thyra]

I typed out three pages of abbreviations for this forum, but I still don't know what SAE or CAE or many of the other abbreviations are for and I read everything hoping to learn. Is there someplace I can find these abbreviations for various fish??

 

[blue_ram]

If you can find them, Golden Nugget plecos stay under 5 inches and would fit nicely. There are many variants but they all usually fall under Baryancistrus sp.

Tropical Fish for Freshwater Aquariums: Gold Nugget Pleco (L-18)
Baryancistrus sp. "Gold Nugget Pleco" L018 | Plecos | Freshwater Fish | Aquarium Livestock - ThatPetPlace.com

 

[achase]

I believe that SAE = Siamese Algae Eater and CAE = Chinese Algae Eater
I just Googled "SAE Fish" and "CAE Fish".

 

[bcrowder11]

I have an oto and in one day, my tank is almost as clean as a whistle!

 

[riseabovethesun]

Wow this is the most feedback in such a short amount of time haha. Thank you guys :]

I know SAEs are easy to get and I don't have excessive amounts of algae for an oto or an ongoing source of algae. It's mostly just here and there.

I'll figure something out from all the feedback :]

 

[lauraf]

I typed out three pages of abbreviations for this forum, but I still don't know what SAE or CAE or many of the other abbreviations are for and I read everything hoping to learn. Is there someplace I can find these abbreviations for various fish??

Hey Thyra:
I still forget what some of the abbreviations here mean - but as achase correctly posted, SAE = Siamese Algae Eater (okay/good); CAE = Chinese Alge Eater (bad, bad, bad).
Let's get a thread started that can be a glossary! Here's my start:
MTS - Malaysian Trumpet Snails
not to be confused with: MTS - Multiple Tank Syndrome

 

[HEADIN]

I love otos (have 22 myself), but beware that if you do not have enough algae, you need to supplement their diet, and not all otos will eat algae-wafers. Only one of my oto species will munch on wafers, the rest will only eat algae or blanched veggies. If I didn't make 'algae longs' and 'algae rocks' for them, they would starve.

LonGs and rocks? Tell us more. Self made?

 

[ryanoh]

I love otos (have 22 myself), but beware that if you do not have enough algae, you need to supplement their diet, and not all otos will eat algae-wafers. Only one of my oto species will munch on wafers, the rest will only eat algae or blanched veggies. If I didn't make 'algae longs' and 'algae rocks' for them, they would starve.

Can you elaborate on what you mean / how you make algae rocks and logs? I'm looking for a new way to feed my pleco. Thanks.

 

[OrangeCones]

For those that inquired about algae logs (not longs lol sorry) and algae rocks:

I started out with 15 fist sized stones and 5 small (not really pretty) pieces of driftwood. I put them in a shallow container covered in water that I'd taken out of a fish tank during a water change (old tank water). I then left it in a window sill for 2 or 3 weeks, making sure to top off the water if any surface of the rocks or wood was showing. I also turned them in the tub they were in every few days.

After 2 or 3 weeks, everything was coated in algae and slime (biofilm). I put one log and 3 rocks in with my otos. Once they were cleaned, I'd put them back in the tub and get out another set of the original rocks and a log. My guys take about 3 or 4 days to clean the pieces I offer them, which is why I have the number of rocks/logs I have now. The first set is ready to be used once the last set is ready to be 're-algae-fied' (is that a word?).

In the winter, I use an empty tank with a light on 16 hrs a day to do the same, since I don't get much winter sun hitting my windows enough to grow algae (and I think the temperature slows down its growth).