What to add to Kenyi/Auratus for algae

[dpawl31]

I've read of success with GSP in freshwater, why can't I try?

In reference to the mbuna/20 gallon...considering the overstocked, super agressive, MONSTER fish I've seen in small tanks on this site, and not just a few of them, I sort of figured I'd have some friends here, apparently it's like the other 'fish' sites, people telling you not to do anything unless it's the set in stone recommendations written by the fish tank gods.

It boils down to this - I have plenty of room for them as-is. If need be, they can be put in a 55 gallon, but I do not wish to lose my turtle to do so. Yes, it's a non-standard stocking... but when I have people with 3 arowana, 40 african & south american cichlids, a turtle and a few huge oscars in a 75 gallon tank... and have been sucessful for years like that...telling ME that I am doing the devils work... it's tough to keep listening to people...


Please note - this is no way directed at anyone specifically, I'm just tired of registering for a new fish site and hearing the same old deal. When this tank is 4 years old, my mbuna are 5" and my puffer 6".... and they are all doing well on basic aquarium salt and balaced water.... maybe then I'll get some respect?

Again, this is not towards anyone here... just tired of moving place to place hoping for some supporters, and yet nobody thinks it can be done.

And as I have said - if NEED BE, they WILL be moved to new homes. They will not suffer. I have 4 LFS very close to me, and willing to do what is necessary. But I am out to prove I can do it. So there it is. I guess I'll wait and see what flak I get now, if I do, well, guess MFK is the last place to try. Figured it was fitting for my situation.

 

[james99]

i have a pretty peaceful lab/acei/male peacock tank and so far ive lost 3 rubber lip plecos due to aggression. im growing out a golden chinese algae eater in my 30 gallon and im going to try to put it in the african tank once i switch everyone from the 65 to the 125 gallon. only problem is they get lazy and care very little about algae once they get big.

 

[ringoyam]

i had a green spotted puffer it was named puffy

 

[kay-bee]

The agression is only shown in very short chases.

Based on the video posted in your intro thread your kenyi and auratus are still small juveniles. The aggression potential of these two hyper-dominant and highly territorial mbuna species is far from being approached. Blue2fyre is spot on.

What do you feed your GSP (green spotted puffer)? The diet that GSP's require (snails, other mollusks, and crustaceans) for their well-being runs full counter from mbuna dietary requirements.

 

[EastBay]

Dpawl, I can understand your frustration. That's why I try to answer the questions people post without totally crushing the person for "perceived" wrongs.

The funny thing is, there are a lot of people who will say no two fish or setups are the same and the only way to know if it will work is to go ahead and try it. Others will blast others if it's not done the way they did it.

So, back to your original question: The easiest thing to do might be to just remove the algae your self with scrubbers or magfloats or whatever. Like I said, I have a pleco in my 90g. There is only one fish that bothers him. The rest just ignore him. He still has both eyes!

But, in a 20g tank, a common pleco will easily outgrow it. Research the different plecos out there, there's got to be one that stays relatively small.

Have you thought about a chinese algae eater? I know people will say they get aggressive, but I've had them throughout the years and they do an excellent job on algae. My get picked on by the Africans, though. I'll probably get blasted for suggesting a CAE, but I don't care. I've kept them in community tanks and never had a problem with them.

Good luck and hang in there!

 

[dpawl31]

Thanks for the replies. Kay bee, I guess the main thing I am testing here is the 'growing up together' idea to solve aggression. Coupled with plenty of hiding places and same sized 'friends'.

As for the GSPs food, for now its a mix of blood worms, cichlid pellets and snails the pet store gives me free. Any suggestions for specific base diet? Lots of snails?

East bay, thank you understanding where I am coming from! I think I might just leave the algae for now. Until the algae overloaded me or I spy the best bristlenose at the lfs hehe. Thanks for the cae suggestion, even with the ever looming negatives coming at you lol.

Anyone think in 5 years if i have 3 healthy fish in my 20 gallon, maybe I should say told ya so? I'm not guaranteeing its going to work, but I'm trying. People need to remember, I can move them to a 55 if necessary! So no harm to my little guys. BTW kenyis name is chuckles, auratus is bumblebee, and gsp is Captain Pickles! Haha

 

[kay-bee]

The GSP will require foods which will prevent its fused teeth from over growing as well as fulfil its dietary needs: ramshorn snails, prawn, krill, mysis, squid, mussel, clams, raw shelled shrimp and stuff like that.

These foods, however, may pose a detrimental threat to your mbuna's because of their high protein percentage content and can lead to the mbuna's contracting the often-fatal malawi bloat. You must ensure that the mbuna's don't eat any of the puffer's food.

Good luck with your goal.

I seriously doubt that a fully matured kenyi and auratus can co-exist long-term in a 20gal. Generally, few mbuna's are more aggressive than these two species. Small tanks and small group-size act as aggression-magnifiers with mbuna's.

One risk that I don't think is being considered is that these fish can inflict casualties with little warning. The trio could literally exist without issue for many months or perhaps even a year or two. And then out of the blue the auratus kills the other two converting the tank into a solitary set-up over-night. You may not have an opportunity to even use the 55gal.