| We've all looked into our tanks at one time or | | | | dislike sudden changes in water conditions which will |
| another and found that it is starting to get over-run | | | | often prove fatal. Make sure that you acclimatise |
| with algae. If you're an experienced aquarium keeper | | | | them well to a new tank. Once settled in they will live |
| you may have mastered the art of keeping algae at | | | | happily without any problems but it i snot unusual to |
| bay, if you're new to the hobby you are probably still | | | | lose an Oto in its first week or two in a new tank. |
| trying out various methods, everything from | | | | Chinese algae eaters, like their Siamese cousins are |
| bleaching the ornaments to winding algae around | | | | best avoided in a small tank. They can get quite |
| toothbrushes. But don't forget the algae eater fish in | | | | aggressive as they get older, leading to problems |
| your fight against the dreaded green stuff. | | | | with other fish. These are best left to larger tanks |
| Algae eater fish come in a variety of shapes and | | | | where their neighbours can have the space to ignore |
| sizes and not all of them eat all types of algae, so | | | | them |
| whichever you choose they will only form part of the | | | | Amano shrimp, ok not a fish but it does live in the |
| fight against algae. | | | | freshwater aquarium quite happily. These fellows will |
| The Siamese Algae Eater is one of the most talked | | | | help clear up the tank, they will eat some algae but |
| about algae eater fish available. It has a voracious | | | | their main forte is clearing up the substrate, keeping |
| appetite for algae and will help to keep your plants | | | | it free of uneaten food. This helps keep your nitrate |
| clear of the stuff but these fish grow too big for an | | | | levels down which in turn helps to keep algae at bay. |
| aquarium much under fifty gallons so be warned, | | | | Finally don't forget snails but use them with caution |
| young ones may work at first but seeing as they | | | | as they breed like flies. You will often end up with |
| grow to between four and five inches they will soon | | | | snails unwittingly as eggs often come into an |
| use up the fish quota on a smaller tank. If you put | | | | aquarium on new plants. Snails will keep your glass |
| two or three in, sure you'll have no algae problem but | | | | and plants clean but in a matter of weeks you can |
| you won't be able to put any extra fish in either. | | | | end up with hundreds of them. Don't get snails unless |
| Oto Catfish are a great algae eater fish for the | | | | you are happy to cull them occasionally to keep the |
| smaller tank. They grow to bout two inches | | | | numbers under control. |
| maximum fully grown. Not the most exciting of fish | | | | Algae eater fish shouldn't be bought until you have |
| to watch but they are very effective at cleaning up | | | | algae and if your algae problem reduces significantly |
| glass, ornaments and plants and will happily live with | | | | you will need to supplement their diet with algae |
| most community fish. Be careful with these little | | | | flakes or pellets. They are only part of the solution |
| fellows though, they can suffer from stress and | | | | but a useful and interesting part. |