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Algae Eater named Cujo
By maggie1270 from the Maggie1270 department, Section Diaries Posted on Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 11:15:06 PM PST Tags: (all tags)

About 3 weeks ago I visited a LFS and couldn't help myself. I bought 2 golden algae eaters(something I normally in a more sane frame of mind would not have done). They are a very pretty peach color. Can someone please slap my hands now??? 1 is still small and 1 is much bigger than the other. At first they were timid and would follow each other around my 20 gal tank. Since they have gotten use to their living quarters the bigger one has gotten extremely agressive, which is something I would have known had I looked into them before purchasing. (BAD MAGGIE!!)

So, here I am with 2 unwanted algae eaters. I tried to feed them little spirulina circle-shaped tablets that I know my plecos use to love. Nope, didn't help. Then again, my balloon mollies love them too so I'm sure that is part of why they chased them mostly. So I visited my LFS again and explained my situation. He suggested algae wafers exclusively for my bottom feeders. He also suggested feeding them after the lights go out for the night so there is minimal competition from the other fish. Well, I believe they are eating it, but I caught my big one chasing my black molly all around the tank non-stop. I moved him into my 2.5 gal quarrantine tank, which, it doesn't seem to like but the rest of the fish seem to be much happier. The smaller algae eater seems to leave everyone alone. I did notice right after I moved the bigger of the 2 monsters that 1 of my mollies has some a circular shaped blemish right below her fin on the top (forgot the name of it sorry). The color went from peach to a whitish color and the scales are sticking up in that spot only, which makes me think that the algae eater may have latched onto her at some point. She use to hide in the buildings with them and then she decided to hang up top which makes me think that she was possibly attacked. I'm picking up an antibiotic tomorrow and will treat her and my black molly who both look like they may have been in a boxing match either with each other or 1 of the monsters.

I am giving the bully to my nephew who has a 40 gal with bigger fish such as a gourami and red eyed tetras and 2 huge plecos, 1 of which outgrew my tank so he adopted for me. Hopefully it will either calm down in the bigger tank and being the only algae eater or, the bigger fish will teach him a few lessons.

Lessons learned?
1) RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH before mixing different types of fish. Compatibility is a BIG issue in smaller tanks.
2) Try not to mix extremely aggressive fish with non-aggressive fish. The smaller the tank, the less amount of territory and less room to run and hide from the bullies.
3) When in doubt, go without.

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Algae Eater named Cujo | 5 comments (5 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Algae Eater named Cujo (none / 0) (#2)
by maggie1270 on Sat Sep 25, 2004 at 09:27:11 AM PST

I've had plecos in the past, but they grow so big and I've already given 2 to my nephews so I'm running out of adoption agencies when they get too big.

The community seems to be much more happier with the bigger one out of the tank.

I think I may have picked up some finicky eaters.

Thanks
Maggie

Re: Algae Eater named Cujo (none / 0) (#4)
by MimiGuppy on Sat Sep 25, 2004 at 06:07:32 PM PST

Sorry, I didn't meen diary, I meant Bio.. sorry!

[ Parent ]

Re: Algae Eater named Cujo (none / 0) (#3)
by MimiGuppy on Sat Sep 25, 2004 at 06:06:18 PM PST

Hey Maggie, I noticed in your diary that you said you have some kuhli loaches? Would you reccomend them to go with guppies?

[ Parent ]

Yes, my Kuhli Loaches seem to be very passive (none / 0) (#5)
by maggie1270 on Sun Sep 26, 2004 at 10:46:35 AM PST

and they mainly hide until the lights go out and then they will forage. I was concerned about them but they are even more passive than any pleco that I've had, including my favorite named Howard. The loaches used to hide under him and he would just lay there and watch them.
Maggie
[ Parent ]

Re: Algae Eater named Cujo (none / 0) (#1)
by gupppies on Sat Sep 25, 2004 at 12:15:02 AM PST

I know what you mean about the impulse buying. A few weeks ago I went to a pet shop to look at fish and walked out with a puppy, but that's another story.....

I have two of these algae eaters, one is quite big, about 4 inches, the other smaller. Whilst the big one is quite aggressive, it only picks on the smaller one, and leaves all other inhabitants alone. They both love the algae tablets.

I did have a goldfish tank a long time ago, and kept a couple of these algae eaters in that tank. They used to attach themselves to the goldfish and suck on them, but I never saw the type of injuries you describe.

They do have a good use though, they keep my glass pretty clean. When I do water changes, and the glass dries, I can see the marks their mouths make all over the glass.

Having said all that, I won't be buying any more of them. Bristlenoses are a lot more placid and nicer looking I think, and they do a good job cleaning up too.

Algae Eater named Cujo | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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