Shrimp or algae eater?

[FrogFrenzy]

I only have room in my tank for one or the other. Which one is better for a community tank and cleaning algae?

 

[azmodan]

What size tank and what kind of algae? What fish do you have in there currently?

 

[FrogFrenzy]

What size tank and what kind of algae? What fish do you have in there currently?

Currently I have 3 electric tetras, 1 dwarf gourami, 1 fire gourami, 3 ghost cats, and 1 peacock gudgeon. I'm not sure what kind of algae. There's not much though, should I wait till more grows?

 

[FishCr8zy]

I only have room in my tank for one or the other. Which one is better for a community tank and cleaning algae?

What type of algae eater do you want?
Shrimp are great guys little cleaners. Is your tank planted?

 

[FrogFrenzy]

What type of algae eater do you want?
Shrimp are great guys little cleaners. Is your tank planted?

I was thinking a Siamese sucker because they don't get very big and I only have a 20 gallon. It's semi planted not too dense but not with real plants.

 

[FishCr8zy]

I was thinking a Siamese sucker because they don't get very big and I only have a 20 gallon. It's semi planted not too dense but not with real plants.

Since there are no real plants, you should prob go for be sae. Shrimp prefer to have nicely planted ( real plants ) tanks to hang onto the leaves.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Sorry, my phone acted weird and double posted.

 

[FrogFrenzy]

Since there are no real plants, you should prob go for be sae. Shrimp prefer to have nicely planted ( real plants ) tanks to hang onto the leaves.

Ok thanks! Will he eat the algae off the deco and and sides or will I have to clean it myself?

 

[Cactuspixie]

I was thinking a Siamese sucker because they don't get very big and I only have a 20 gallon. It's semi planted not too dense but not with real plants.

By Siamese sucker, I'm assuming you mean otocinclus?

 

[Cactuspixie]

SAE grow too big and are active, fast swimmers. They won't clean glass either. Shrimp are totally cute. Either way you will have to do the occasional glass clean yourself.
Or you could get a little bristlenose, and when she starts getting bigger, sell her and buy another small one?

 

[FishCr8zy]

SAE grow too big and are active, fast

How big do sae grow? Though they are fast and active fish. I thought they maxed out around 5"?

 

[FishCr8zy]

Ok thanks! Will he eat the algae off the deco and and sides or will I have to clean it myself?

All algae cleaner guys will clean everywhere they can get to.

 

[Cactuspixie]

How big do sae grow? Though they are fast and active fish. I thought they maxed out around 5"?

Max out at 6" but even at 4" they need a 4' long tank to be free to swim and play naturally. Mine dart from one end of their 6' tank to the other in the blink of an eye.

The only algae eater that I know of who eats algae at EVERY stage of their life, doesn't prefer fish food, and doesn't ever become territorial or aggressive, is the Otto.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Max out at 6" but even at 4" they need a 4' long tank to be free to swim and play naturally. Mine dart from one end of their 6' tank to the other in the blink of an eye.

The only algae eater that I know of who eats algae at EVERY stage of their life, doesn't prefer fish food, and doesn't ever become territorial or aggressive, is the Otto.

Ottos are great little guys too . I don't have any sae for sale anywhere around here so I don't have experience with them . The only bad thing about the Otto is they are not the easiest to keep.

 

[FrogFrenzy]

Max out at 6" but even at 4" they need a 4' long tank to be free to swim and play naturally. Mine dart from one end of their 6' tank to the other in the blink of an eye.

The only algae eater that I know of who eats algae at EVERY stage of their life, doesn't prefer fish food, and doesn't ever become territorial or aggressive, is the Otto.

Oh I thought the Siamese suckers were the small ones. What algae eater do you recommend for a 20 gallon?

 

[Nellynel]

Maybe you should try one of these. I usually just see them labeled as algae eater or Chinese algae eater

 

[FrogFrenzy]

Maybe you should try one of these. I usually just see them labeled as algae eater or Chinese algae eater

Ok thanks! Ill do some research on him.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Maybe you should try one of these. I usually just see them labeled as algae eater or Chinese algae eater

The problem about Chinese algae eaters is that they get territorial and a bit aggressive when they grow older. And the older they get, the less algae they eat.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Oh I thought the Siamese suckers were the small ones. What algae eater do you recommend for a 20 gallon?

I would get a group of ottos. Get little algae eaters that stay small and eat lots of algae.

 

[Nellynel]

I just put a few in my tank with African cichlids that are a lot bigger but they are too quick to be caught.....