a good small-sized cleaner
- Thread starter SoBe_fish
- Start date
What fish do you have currently aside from tetras? What species are these tetras? Otos or ancistrus can consume algae while cories can eat foods at the bottom but this should not give you the impression that they do not eat food supplements. Like other fish, they still need to be provided the proper foods you can give them. If I were you, I'd rely on a magnet algae scrubber and a gravel vacuum.
Do not drop too many food at once. Feed gradually to minimize the chances of food falling to the bottom which can result in fouling of water.
Do not drop too many food at once. Feed gradually to minimize the chances of food falling to the bottom which can result in fouling of water.
Like the guys have said you shouldn't rely on a fish to be a janitor. If they happen to eat a bit of algae and clean up some lost food, then it's a bonus 
Having said that an ancistrus (Bristlenore pleco ), a group of Cory catfish or smaller loaches (zebra or dwarf etc) are perfectly fine in a tetra type tank. They generally hang around the bottom of the tank and dont bother the fish in the upper water and vise versa. Do your homework on whatever you decide to get though, some plecos grow to 2 ft long, and clown loaches to 1ft (eventually).
Just be aware they have their own feeding and care needs like any other fish does.
Cheers
Ian
Having said that an ancistrus (Bristlenore pleco ), a group of Cory catfish or smaller loaches (zebra or dwarf etc) are perfectly fine in a tetra type tank. They generally hang around the bottom of the tank and dont bother the fish in the upper water and vise versa. Do your homework on whatever you decide to get though, some plecos grow to 2 ft long, and clown loaches to 1ft (eventually).
Just be aware they have their own feeding and care needs like any other fish does.
Cheers
Ian
In my tank I have 6 swordtail characins and 7 cardinal tetras. I clean the tank 30% a week so I'm not really looking for a fish that takes care of EVERYTHING but just one to help out with the algae a little.
I also have a 75 gallon tank and soon I will have a 55 gallon, so if a pleco gets too big he can always be moved. I just dont want a species of pleco that gets 2 feet @.@, maybe one not so big?
I also have a 75 gallon tank and soon I will have a 55 gallon, so if a pleco gets too big he can always be moved. I just dont want a species of pleco that gets 2 feet @.@, maybe one not so big?
Get a bristlenose pleco then. They are hardy, wont hassle your other fish, dont grow too big (4-5"), are good algae eaters and you should be able to find them in any good pet shop. An ideal first pleco 
Ian
Ian
I have always had great luck from Otocinclus. They are relatively small and docile. If you need a busy body butler, consider some grass shrimp or amano shrimp.