chinease algae eater or Otto cat?

[delyla]

I have a 20 gal. and im planning on putting dwarf gouramis and maybe some mollies. Im trying to decide between a chinease algae eater and an otto cat. Can anyone tell me some differences in them to consider?

 

[dkpate]

I believe the SAE will suck the slime coat off sleeping fish. Other than that, I don't know much about them.

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

Go with the otos as the CAE will start out small and unaggressive but will get very large and aggressive. As dk said they can attack other fish very easily. Watching a group of otos is pretty sweet too.

 

[neilanh]

Ottos

 

[jsoong]

I believe the SAE will suck the slime coat off sleeping fish. Other than that, I don't know much about them.

You mean CAE (Chinese algae eater)? SAE's (Simese algae eater) are safe with sleeping fish. <Although there are other species labeled as SAE's. Those false SAE may be trouble.>

At any rate, go for Otos. CAE's get too big & may attack your smaller fish.

 

[Lowryder]

Ottos. SAE's grow to a foot long, too big for a 20g. They also arent particularly good at eating alge. They get more belligerent and unattractive with age.

 

[toddnbecka]

Actually, a BN pleco would be a better choice than a CAE or an Oto. CAE's actually grow too large for a 20, and become more aggressive as they get larger. Oto's are best kept in larger, well-established planted tanks.

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

Actually, a BN pleco would be a better choice than a CAE or an Oto. CAE's actually grow too large for a 20, and become more aggressive as they get larger. Oto's are best kept in larger, well-established planted tanks.

Agreed to a point. Otos do like the more established tank, I don't believe planted is a necessary but could be for certain fish. I do like the idea of bristlenose plecos as they don't really get big and their bio load is a touch lighter.

 

[dskidmore]

Otos are very social and like to be in groups. They tend to be wild caught, can have parasites, and are often underfed in transit. Start up a QT tank well before you buy otos, and try to grow a thick load of algae in it. Put them through a decent lenght QT, some people even recommend doing a round of parasite treatment before symptoms are seen. They can be rather fragile even after the QT period, hence the suggestion that they be kept in mature planted aquariums.

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

Otos are very social and like to be in groups. They tend to be wild caught, can have parasites, and are often underfed in transit. Start up a QT tank well before you buy otos, and try to grow a thick load of algae in it. Put them through a decent lenght QT, some people even recommend doing a round of parasite treatment before symptoms are seen. They can be rather fragile even after the QT period, hence the suggestion that they be kept in mature planted aquariums.

+1 for sure. They definately like the more established tank so these wouldn't be a great suggestion as starter guys. I would wait a while so your algae can build up a little then set up the qt as stated above and go from there.

 

[mgamer20o0]

Ottos. SAE's grow to a foot long, too big for a 20g. They also arent particularly good at eating alge. They get more belligerent and unattractive with age.

think they max out at around 6 inch and do better in schools but still too big for a 20 gallon.

 

[dskidmore]

An alternative algae crew could be snails and flag fish.