Two new Algae Eaters!

[Scruffeh]

Hello everyone, I just purchased two Chinese Algae Eaters and yesterday I acclimated them to to the tank and they took to the driftwood right away. They are still quite young, about 1 and a half inches in size compared to the 5 inches I've seen them get, and I'm just wondering if there are any special things I should do to make them feel more at home? Should I put a mossball in there? Anything would be great! I don't want them to starve or have to only eat off the gravel. They seem to be doing fine right now, they've been mine for 24 hours now.

[mac]

Hello everyone, I just purchased two Chinese Algae Eaters and yesterday I acclimated them to to the tank and they took to the driftwood right away. They are still quite young, about 1 and a half inches in size compared to the 5 inches I've seen them get, and I'm just wondering if there are any special things I should do to make them feel more at home? Should I put a mossball in there? Anything would be great! I don't want them to starve or have to only eat off the gravel. They seem to be doing fine right now, they've been mine for 24 hours now.

Just a question, is the tank they are being kept in a 15 gallon? If so when fully grown these fish need a tank larger than a 50 gallon. These fish can grow quite large, 11-12 inches. Also most of these fish when they mature can become very aggressive, and will no longer eat algae but start to eat other fish's slime, which can hurt and kll the other fish.

IMO I would return these fish or get a larger tank for them.

Hope this helps,
mac

[Scruffeh]

I orginally thought they would only get to be about 5 inches. I did a little more reasearch and found out they do reach a max of 11 inches. I must have misread and thought that 5 was their max size, when it is actually when they are fully mature. I guess for now I will enjoy them, and when they get to be too big I'll give them back to the petstore or I'll trade them in or whatever. I should probably call Petco and see what their return policy is. I've never had disease in my tank, so I would expect they would take them back and allow for an exchange. They are so fun to watch though :( I'm sorta upset that I go two and now I have to watch them go. I just don't have the money for another tank, I can hardly afford maintaining this one. Oh well, we'll see what happens.

[Fishalicious]

Unfortunately they do indeed grow to 12 inches... they grow to 6 inches quickly and then slowly grow to 12 inches. They will eat algae when younger but as they mature will stop and are very well known for being very aggressive as they age and rasping other fish's scales off trying to get the slime coat.

I think someone on here as one that has remained a nice one - Smaug? - but they are one of those fish I would not recommend for a community tank and are not for a 15 gallon I'm afraid.

Best would be to exchange them for some otocinclus cats - they eat algae, stay small and wouldn't bother a fly.

[smaug]

Unfortunately they do indeed grow to 12 inches... they grow to 6 inches quickly and then slowly grow to 12 inches. They will eat algae when younger but as they mature will stop and are very well known for being very aggressive as they age and rasping other fish's scales off trying to get the slime coat.

I think someone on here as one that has remained a nice one - Smaug? - but they are one of those fish I would not recommend for a community tank and are not for a 15 gallon I'm afraid.

Best would be to exchange them for some otocinclus cats - they eat algae, stay small and wouldn't bother a fly.
I have had quite a few "nice" ones.Mine is now 4 years old and is just about 5 inches long.He is still a prolific algae eater and shows no interest at all in sucking on his tankmates.A few of my tank keeping friends have kept them as well with no issues.All that being said,your tank is too small for cae.

[Scruffeh]

Thanks a lot everyone. I'll make sure that I watch them carefully. I'm thinking about returning them to Petco this weekend. I'm going to swap them out for some Otos if they have them, or what about a group of 4 Julii Cories? Actually if you could post some sugestions for me that'd be awesome! I am very interested in Cory cats of all kinds!

EDIT: I was thinking, with my current setup would it be possible to replace the two CAEs with like 2 or 3 Otos and possibly some Bamboo Shrimp? I would need some numbers becuase I'm not sure how many Shrimp I can keep, if at all. I couldn't get shrimp before becuase of the agression in CAEs to smaller critters. Thanks again, I was also thinking of getting some Blue Shrimp if the LFS ran out of Bamboos, maybe some Cherry Shrimp. Suggestions would be marvelous.

[smaug]

Bamboo shrimp can be difficult to keep because of there feeding requirements.They are filter feeders and can have problems getting enough nutrients in a small non planted tank,there simply isnt that much edible floating detritus normally.A good cory choice for a small tank are hasbrosus corys,you would have no problems getting 10 of them thex max out around 3/4" or so.

[Scruffeh]

Thanks a lot Smaug, I appreciate the feedback. :) I can't wait to get some Corys. I'm thinking Friday would be a good day to pick some up. I need to stop spending money after that though for a while at least. I'm still trying to find a steady job. In about 2 more months I get about a 1000 dollars from my inheritance so I'm going to get some new gear when that comes around. :) Thanks again! I'll post pics whenever I get a camera.