Small golden algae eaters and shrimp
Moderator: Mustafa
Small golden algae eaters and shrimp
Hi. I was wondering.... can I keep a couple of small golden algae eaters (fish) in my shrimp only tank (with babies)? The shrimp do a great job cleaning the substrate and the plants, but they just can't clean glass the way a sucker-mouth fish can.
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- Tiny Shrimp
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The golden Alga-eater
http://www.azgardens.com/images/Gold-Algae-Eater.gif
is a color morph of the Chinese Algae-eater, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri.
They reach a length of up to 10 inch and they eat baby-shrimps.
http://www.azgardens.com/images/Gold-Algae-Eater.gif
is a color morph of the Chinese Algae-eater, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri.
They reach a length of up to 10 inch and they eat baby-shrimps.
- GunmetalBlue
- Shrimpoholic
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- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2005 11:10 am
- Location: CA
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- Larva
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- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:35 pm
- Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
otocinclus
S -
Otocinclus are usually sold in fish stores as "ottos". They shouldn't be hard to find, although finding healthy ones is a bit of a trick as they are generally wild-caught.
If you do a google search on 'otocinclus' you should find some pages about what to look for when you're buying them. I have a few in my shrimp tank and they do a great job of keeping the glass clean. I've had a tough time keeping them healthy, though, so I'm not sure I'd strongly recommend them...
I've never kept a bristlenose pleco, but that might be a better choice. Anyone else care to comment?
Otocinclus are usually sold in fish stores as "ottos". They shouldn't be hard to find, although finding healthy ones is a bit of a trick as they are generally wild-caught.
If you do a google search on 'otocinclus' you should find some pages about what to look for when you're buying them. I have a few in my shrimp tank and they do a great job of keeping the glass clean. I've had a tough time keeping them healthy, though, so I'm not sure I'd strongly recommend them...
I've never kept a bristlenose pleco, but that might be a better choice. Anyone else care to comment?
Re: otocinclus
In most cases, you would have to stuff the shrimp down the bristlenose's gullet to get it to eat the shrimp.eraserbones wrote:I've never kept a bristlenose pleco, but that might be a better choice. Anyone else care to comment?
I don't know this fish, but most Panaques are omnivorous, prefering vegetable foods. Probably won't take shrimp if well fed.Shanna wrote:blue panaques
A Hypancistrus species. Omnivorous, prefering meaty foods. Likely to actively hunt shrimp.L-236 white tigers,
All Peckolitas are omnivorous. Will probably take a shrimp here and there, especially young ones.L-75 peckolitas
Depends on the species, or at least the genus.etc??
Thanks for the info Bradimus..... you are thorough!
The reason I want an algae eater or two in my shrimp tanks is because the shrimp don't do a great job cleaning the glass. The shrimp would not have to compete for food, though, because they are small and can get all the food that the fish CAN'T.......... algae on the rocks, crud stuck to hairgrass, etc. Besides that, I supplement with species-appropriate food.
The reason I want an algae eater or two in my shrimp tanks is because the shrimp don't do a great job cleaning the glass. The shrimp would not have to compete for food, though, because they are small and can get all the food that the fish CAN'T.......... algae on the rocks, crud stuck to hairgrass, etc. Besides that, I supplement with species-appropriate food.
If you want a shrimp safe algae eater that will keep your glass crystal clean, go with Nerite snails. The only drawback is that they lay eggs all over the place if you happen to have a male and female. The advantage is that they do not reproduce in freshwater at all (at least the species available for the hobby right now) and thus cannot take over the tank.
They are the best algae eaters that I know of. In fact...they are so thorough that I took them out of my shrimp tanks (and sold them) so some algae can start growing again. They literally eat "all* algae in my tanks.
They are the best algae eaters that I know of. In fact...they are so thorough that I took them out of my shrimp tanks (and sold them) so some algae can start growing again. They literally eat "all* algae in my tanks.