Best algae eating pleco

[jmf]

Hi People,

I need some help on getting a pleco for my Australian native tank. The tank is roughly 75G (5ftx1.3x1.5). Whilst I know Bristlenose's are one of the best, my Australian bass (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_bass) and freshwater stonefish called a bullrout (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullrout) attack my bristlenose, so the bristlenose's got moved to another tank.

My tank has huge algae issues, I understand that it's due to light and nutrients, but even a few days after scraping all the algae and water change it comes back, so much so you cannot see into the tank.

I would like to get a plceo that grows larger and can handle the bullying, but that also is a herbivore. My research has only really uncovered the royal pleco. Unfortunately, these guys cost around $1500 AUD ($1200 USD) in Australia.

Can anyone suggest other pleco's for me? I have bigger tanks that I can move it to, if it gets to big.

Thanks

 

[fishhead0103666]

Well sometimes in order to hang with the big guys you have to either be big enough to throw a punch back, or small enough that no one notices you .

This little guy only gets to be 2 inches when fully grown, likes to be in a group, and is hands down one of the best algae eaters you can find. There is a down side though. Because they've been bred so much, their genetics aren't that good and a good bit of them die.

 

[Hendre]

Well sometimes in order to hang with the big guys you have to either be big enough to throw a punch back, or small enough that no one notices you .
View attachment 1334426
This little guy only gets to be 2 inches when fully grown, likes to be in a group, and is hands down one of the best algae eaters you can find. There is a down side though. Because they've been bred so much, their genetics aren't that good and a good bit of them die.

Can vouch for their algae eating ability.

As far as I know most are wild caught and don't take shipping too well, leading to die offs after import.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Yeah, it also doesn't help that they're caught with the help of cycnide is it?
Also the panda garra is good with algae but not a pleco like you wanted.

 

[jmf]

I like them, but the problem is, I have 2 big aggressive predators that devour anything that size :-(

 

[Hendre]

Probably best to reduce your lighting and/or feeding. I think water testing would be helpful in determining what's triggering the algae. How long are your lights on for?

 

[kno4te]

Common pleco.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Well I was going to post an algae scrubber but I see that you've been removing it and it comes back a few days so how about this?

Also pic of the tank?

 

[skjl47]

My tank has huge algae issues, I understand that it's due to light and nutrients

leading to die offs after import.

Hello; The ottos I have tried did not survive very long even with plenty of algae.

Probably best to reduce your lighting and/or feeding

Hello; this may be your best bet.

Hello; Another thing to determine is the kind of algae you have. I am thinking in particular of what is sometimes called "slime algae" or cyanobacteria algae. I have had this before and it is a pain to deal with. It forms sheets more or less. It is a type which is made up of the algae and a bacterium. I use to physically remove it with my fingers from my plants and everywhere else. It would break up some what and there would be a cloud of small green particles floating around. In maybe a week it would again begin to form sheets on everything. If you have this type let us know. I eventually got rid of mine, fingers crossed, at least for about three years.

Hello; I do not think you will find any suitable fish to take care of algae. Snails can help some and are part of a method to keep it down, but not a cure all.

 

[exodus1500]

I think you need to work more at elimination and not at plecos, especially with fish you currently stock. The ones that come to mind would be killed very quickly.