Bunch of questions

[webjunkie]

Okay, recent events in the tank have given me cause to ask these questions. First, one of my green corys (the smallest I think) has been hiding a lot. I have two rocks that lean together to form a cave and he wedged himself between one of these and the gravel. I had some trimming to do near there, so he swam away when I got close, but soon after I was done he was right back in the same place. It has me really worried. Also, I have noticed some snails in the tank. Yes I know that some snails can be beneficial, but these came in with the plants (even though I tried really hard to make sure that I cleaned the plants of all snails and snail eggs). I am considering a betta to aid me in my attempts to wage war on these shelled pests. I have also noticed some algae growth. I'm not sure yet, but it might be of the hair algae variety, and depending on what it turns out to be, do you think it would be worth it to get a SAE or an ottocat or two? I would really like to not overstock this tank, and am very hesistant to add anything else. I mean I would love to add more fish, but I am afraid of overstocking the tank. Oh well, I also don't want to lose my live plants to those damnable snails. Any advice you guys could give me would help.

 

[420Loach]

how long have you had the corys? it sounds like hes a bit stressed out, and is probably hiding to combat that. corys do like to dig and hide, especially if the can move the substrate arround mine love digging in the sand in my tank is he eating? if he is i wouldnt worry about it too much.

idk if bettas help control snail populations or not. a clown loach would work wonders, but a 10g is too small. you could just pluck them out with your hands, or buy meds to kill them off(but those might hurt your plants)

as for the algae, a razor will take care of that, or they also sell magnetic algae crapers, if you worry of crowding your tank

 

[FroggyFox]

I don't think CAE or Ottos eat hair algae (if that is indeed what you have) but I could be wrong on that. my 2 ottos took care of the spot algae that was in my 10 very well though!

I think I would do a search on the boards for 'hair algae' and see what comes up...I think someone had a good suggestion for a fish that eats it, but I'm sorry I don't remember which one it was.

Those snails are nasty critters. Good luck. This has not been the most helpful post...sorry....

 

[fishysmell]

If your looking for anti-hairalgae animals you could try SAE's, American Flag Fish, or about ten amano shrimp (cardina japonica). I personally would go w/ the shrimp especially if your worried about overstocking. SAE's and AFF's can get big. If it is just flat algae get 2 ottocats. Your problems will be over w/ those guys.

The only thing you have to worry about w/ the shrimp is keeping your nitrates really low. If you do that, they'll be a really good addition for you.

For snails see if you can "rent" a yoyo loach for a week from your lfs. He'll eliminate the problem but he also is really too big for that tank in the long run. It might be easier to pull the snails out by hand.

 

[webjunkie]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see how pulling the snails out by hand works for me for now. If they start to get out of hand I'll step it up. I sure hope it isn't hair algae, because there I have yet to find a lfs that stocks amano shrimp. I guess that leads to another question. Are amano shrimp tough enough to survive shipping from say, Florida? I may just have to order them online. For the Cory, its been hard to tell, I work during the day, and feed them right before lights out. I'll keep my eyes peeled, hopefully he'll be better when I get home today.