Topic: Algae eaters

[ConvictKid]

I'm with Phil. Sounds like an Oto. Otos and snails are the best damn algae eaters you can get. The only problem with Otos is, they stay really small (2" max)and are very easily eaten by cichlids, but damn, they eat ALOT of algae. They eat all kinds of algae too, unlike plecos and Chinese Algae Eaters, they don't really prefer one algae over the others.

As for the plecos. Once (common) plecos mature (4-6") they no longer feed on algae as their main food source. They prefer actual vegetables and plants opposed to algae.

[RED TERROR]

As for the plecos. Once (common) plecos mature (4-6") they no longer feed on algae as their main food source. They prefer actual vegetables and plants opposed to algae.

Unfortunately that's very true. Some variations don't even like algae at all. When I first got into the hobby I purchased a zebra pleco because I liked the way they looked, I just assumed they ate algae just like most other plecos. I found out the hard way that they perfer a more meaty diet. I ended up with a tank full of algae and a hungry pleco. LOL 

[ConvictKid]

I wish I could have afforded a Zebra back in the day. I did find some Tigers, though. Almost the same as Zebras, but orange with black stripes instead of white, and a HELL of alot cheaper ($18 a piece for the Tigers). They stay nice and small like the Zebras do too (5" max).

[Demseyfan]

That is a raphael cat if i'm not mistaken Ange.  They do talk like a mississippi catfish (or seem to).  I don't that much about them except that they seem to hold their own with cichlids.  Never personally had one.  Used to sell them alot at the pet store.

[phish_luver]

DEMS~ I think we figured out that its a striped raphael... Thanks for responding, Im glad he finally came outta hiding!!
Ange

[Bsaint]

Would adding an otto or two to my 29g be a bad idae
I have 2 cons 5 giant danios and a few snails

[paulie]

WEll , im following up on my little algae eater. My tank was covered with algae , the fake plants , my gravel , even my driftwood , my clay pot , and you could barely see the backround picture scenery. Well , a few days later , i REALLY mean this when i say , 95 % of the algae is gone , my clay pot looks like the day i put it in there as the same for the gravel and rocks , and the backround is as clean as a whistle. This was the best 1.49 i ever spent. Now my question is this. He was labeled as a SMALL algae eater , I know they have LARGE algae eaters. When my cichlids get bigger , should i purchase the large one and are these the same exact algae eaters???

[JC]

That depends on whether you have an otocinclus or a banded (or chinese ) algae eater. The otocinclus is more on the grey side than brown, with a very wide black stripe on the side and a white belly. They only grow to about 2 inches.
The banded algae eater on the other hand is more of a tan colour all over and the stripes when looked at closely look like a checkerboard. Those guys can grow up to 10 inches for the banded, up to a foot for the gold algae eater. It's possible you could have any of those 3 depending on how the heck your lfs labeled their tanks. I ended up with the banded variety one time when I wanted a couple otocinclus and OMG they grew out of my tank so fast, I had to put them in my pond. Went back to the lfs and pointed out the real otocinclus