Lesta3474 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Hi There, I have a pair of Convict cichlids. No babies for the moment. They've attempted to breed 2 twice and have gotten pretty aggressive during these periods... They are in a planted tank, Java Fern, Java Moss and Water sprites (floating fern?). So far, they've not messed up the plants. Problem is that the lighting is causing green algae to grow near the water surface and on the driftwood. Plants are fine though. Strong light is doing well especially for the Water Sprite. I also use Flourish Excel and the odd dose of Leafzone. Is there a algae eating fish that I can get that can stand up against the aggressive convicts? FYI: I have a couple of otocinclus but they are always hiding in between the rocks and caves as the convicts are very aggressive. Might have to sell or rehome them. (or get another tank if there is space!) Thanks. Kind regards, Lester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitzy Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Hi there I think bristlenosed catfish are pretty hardly and should be fine. they would love to clean your tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesta3474 Posted May 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 How young of a bristlenose can i get? Convicts are about 9 cm (male) and 7 cm (female). I see some Bristlenose for sale but they are 2cm. Probably too small and I need a more mature fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitzy Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 I would say olders one would be best. petshops might have some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 How about Chinese algae eater or golden variety. They are too aggressive for most community tanks but should cope with the convicts nicely. BN's could work ok, depends if the cons see them as a threat. The younger are better for cleaning as they tend to hide out more as they get bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesta3474 Posted May 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Yeah? Hmm... might consider a younger Bristle nose then.. I read up that Chinese Algae Eaters are notorious for munching on the slime coat of other fishes? Esp as they get older. Are they safe? Kind regards, Lester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Your Cons will be too fast for them. They will pester slower more peaceful fish for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesta3474 Posted May 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 Ahh... true true... Cool. Thanks! :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Short answer; No. Any bristlenose/plec type fish will be picked on until its dead. A chinese algae eater might be alright, but when they get bigger they don't eat much algae AFAIK. Best idea would be to fix the cause of the algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesta3474 Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Its filamentous Algae.. I would assume its too much lighting.. And nutrients... Tried using Flourish Excel to bump up the growth of the plants.. Should I increase the dosage? Not too keen on doing a CO2 system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simian Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Short answer; No. Any bristlenose/plec type fish will be picked on until its dead. A chinese algae eater might be alright, but when they get bigger they don't eat much algae AFAIK. Best idea would be to fix the cause of the algae. Interesting I had 3 med sizes BN with a breeding pair of Cons, no issues at all. Depends on the fish I guess. How about a couple of big apple snails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesta3474 Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Err... dunno if snails would work.. I actually had a snail problem in my tank but not anymore once i got the cons... They tore them apart... Although they weren't that big.. about the size of a 10 cent coin... I could even here them chewing on snail babies in the middle of the nite. :roll: Will large snails destroy my plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 :lol: :lol: :lol: Apple snails yum yum!! :lol: I have found the majority of our aggressive to semi aggressive cichlids have enjoyed an apple snail or two And not as long term tank mates either... :lol: Been there done that ages ago... with not such good results.. also Apple Snails would mow down Lesters plants... :-? Not a good look :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesta3474 Posted May 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 Ack no! not my plants.. I had that Java Fern for a about a year.. and its had its ups and downs... (yes i didn have much experience with plants i almost killed a Java Fern which is unheard of) but now its growing so well.. It has sentimental value... hehe! I guess no large snails for me... Should have mentioned that I have a surface skimmer attached to my FLUVAL 105 filter. I heard that surface skimmers actually increase oxygen in the water and release CO2 like how an airstone would? Is this true? I guess this defeats the purpose of putting Flourish Excel? Lester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant N Posted May 30, 2008 Report Share Posted May 30, 2008 I had a small group of Flying Fox (Epalzeoryhnchus kallopterus ? ) to control black beard(hate it ) algea in a comunity tank, They may eat green stuff too and would be able to handle convicts. They may eat eggs or fry though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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