15" pike cichlid with a bristlenose?

[neonmadness]

I have a brown algae problem in my 110g which houses two full grown oscars and a 15" pike cichlid. i want to put a bristlenose in to take care of the algae but im concerned that the pike will go after it. Will a bristlenose get large enough and be well armored enough to keep from getting eaten?

 

[Peanut_Power]

You'd want a full grown bristle nose, or at least one that is 5". Might have better luck getting a larger royal pleco. Or a scrubby pad. . . .

 

[Angler]

Your bristlenose will disappear!

 

[Scatocephalus]

I wouldn't even think about it. The problem is that once the pike gets the pleco in it's mouth it's there for good. You'll likely end up losing both the pike and the pleco.

I'd actually pick up a dozen chinese algae eaters which are awesome at cleaning up brown algae. And when the pike eats them there are not all the nasty spines to harm him.

 

[neonmadness]

the pike will eat all of the cae's in a matter of minutes, thanks tho for the input tho everyone. Are there any larger species that will be effective algae eaters? nothing too huge tho

 

[Peanut_Power]

You'd have to pay a pretty penny, but there are larger royal plecos out there. Thats about your 'safest' bet. You could try a fei feng (flagtail). They graze to a certain extent. Not going to make your tank spotless, but will help a little.

 

[Scatocephalus]

Feeder goldfish are amazingly good algae eaters. When I drop a hunderd of them in with my PBass he rips through 20-25 of them immediately and then snacks on the rest over the course of 4-5 days. In the mean time the remaining feeders do a remarkable job of cleaning up the glass.

 

[pwmin]

I'd try a flagtail...great at eating algae and one of my favourite fish. but then again, might be killed depending on the pike's personality

 

[cpr_mike]

I'd try a flagtail...great at eating algae and one of my favourite fish. but then again, might be killed depending on the pike's personality

Id say just start scrubbing the algae. A lot of big plecos more than likely will just eat leftovers in the tank. I know my royal does. The flagtail like pwmin said might get the hell beat out of it by not only the pike but maybe even the oscar depending on its size. My bass were fine for awhile and then after about two months decided they liked the shiny sides of my flag tail.

Id try the goldfish idea if you do feed feeders.

 

[DCOWBOYS]

Flagtails are great i had 2,but they are jumpers so if anything bothers them they jump out of your tank.