Temperate tank with algae

[French47, posts: 42]

Hello to All,
I am running a nice temperate tank ( 68 deg ) with White cloud Mountain minnows 3 Akysis, 2 Cory Paleatus, 1 Cory Longfin Paleatus and 4 Otocinclus huaorani. Now that's out of the way.
My question is, the tank is running a treat and the fish seem to be happy but I have some Bright leaf green algae growing on the glass by the filter return, non of the fish will eat it. As an excuse to get more fish can you recommend a catfish or loach that would like to eat it? and is happy with the water temp and flow rate.

[Bas Pels, posts: 1932]

I'd suggest expanding the group of Otocinclus

I would NOT put another algae eater in the tank, as this algae eater will compete your Otocinclus and this might result in the deadth of them.

After all, where will this competitor start? Most likely the very algae the Otocinclus prefer.

[French47, posts: 42]

Thank you Bas Pels for the information, I shall do as you say, it will be nice to have another 4 or 5 Otocinclus and we shall if they can put in a combined effort to clear this one patch.
Cheers Mate

[racoll, posts: 4494]

Two things:

(1) are you sure that the algae is edible? Some (many) kinds of algae are just not palatable to some fish. Many are quite fussy, Otocinclus included. If you can remove the algae with just wiping your fingers across it, then they will probably eat it. If it's that kind of stuborn green spot algae, that you have to use your fingernails on, then they won't eat it.

(2) in my experience, Otocinclus from the lowland Amazon don't do so well in such cold conditions. They really need a temperature of above 25C.

[dw1305, posts: 347]

Hi all,
I don't think Otocinclus are at all suitable, but as long as you have a reasonable amount of flow, "Hillstream loaches" would be ideal, as they need cool temperatures and lots of dissolved oxygen.

Have a look at Loaches online article for some more details "......life in the fast lane" <http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane>.

cheers Darrel

[dw1305, posts: 347]

Hi all,
Another option would be the sub-tropical Gobies like Stiphodon spp. The main reason I wouldn't recommend these is that I don't think they are being bred in captivity, so wild collection probably isn't very sustainable.

cheers Darrel

[French47, posts: 42]

Thank you Darrel and Racoll for your thoughts on tank temp for Ottocinclus, I will take your advice, but as I said I did some research into Otto's and Baensch Aquarium Atlas does say a Temp between 68 -79 f and also Bes pals also recommended
Otto's for my tank at 68 f.
Finally thank you DW 1305 for the link to Loaches, what great site.
Cheers to All.

[dw1305, posts: 347]

Hi all,
Pleased you liked the Loach article, there is some good stuff there.

Thank you Darrel and Racoll for your thoughts on tank temp for Ottocinclus, I will take your advice, but as I said I did some research into Otto's and Baensch Aquarium Atlas does say a Temp between 68 -79 f and also Bes pals also recommended Otto's for my tank at 68 f.

I think the Otocinclus temperature question is probably a bit like saying what is the best temperature for Corydoras? it depends upon the species.

Otocinclus sp., like O. flexilis come from sub-tropical areas and live with Corydoras paleatus etc, and would be happy at 20oC.

But most of the Otocinclus spp. you can buy easily originate from the Amazon basin, Otocinclus hoppei type locality Amazon, Manaus, Otocinclus macrospilus type locality Amazon Loreto etc and like much warmer water.

cheers Darrel