The Puffer Forum

Are there any Algae eaters that Fahakas tend to tolerate? Mine is alone right now, and I have heard PufferPunk's experiences with plecos and Fahakas . Does anybody keep ANY algae eaters with their Fahaka? Otos, Plecos, CAEs, SAEs, Whatever! Or is this a job for my Mag-Float (It's an acrylic tank)



Thanks in advance!

i have a Blue something pleco in with mine right now and he is doin fine. I just got one that was the same size as my fahaka.

Also check out grubsters website, he has a plec in with his also.

Thanks man. Although I'll see what others have to say about it, I'll put pleco on the "possible" list. What size pleco do you think would work best in comparison to my fahaka?

I didn't want a pleco that grew to monstrosity so I went with the the blue pleco. He was about 4" and the lfs owner was saying that he would only get to about 8-9" total. So thats what I went with there. Your fahaka should be about the same size as mine i think since we got them about week or two apart. So I would probably shoot for a 4-5" pleco.

Another thing to consider is what do you want the eater to really do? Are you looking for a glass cleaner or a substrate cleaner? Not all cleaner fish do both. I went with this stile pleco becuase he is more into the substrate but needs shrimp and bloodworms as well. Since the primary food in the tank is bloodworms I figured that cleaning the substrate of old bloodworms was right up this guys aley. I also purchased two baby siemese alea eaters as well. They are toothpick thin and 1" right now so the fahaka doesn't even see them. They are for the plant leaves and glass.

I know that bristlenose plecos are more agressive at cleaning the substrate and some glass but will leave your plants alone. So you will probably need a combo pretty much anyway you go.

Lastly since you tank is acrylic do you really want a pleco that will clean the glass? They do have teeth and will definately scratch the inside of your tank. So I would maybe look into the siemese algea eater cause they don't get very big and they won't do as much harm to the acrylic I believe.

apachepufferman wrote:
Lastly since you tank is acrylic do you really want a pleco that will clean the glass? They do have teeth and will definately scratch the inside of your tank.

Excellent point! I had a friend the bought a nice big (450 gallon) acrylic tank brand spanking new. He transfered his fish over into it, including 2 plecos ( I don't know the species) and woke up the next day to a crazily hazed front panel from the plecos.

apachepufferman wrote:Lastly since you tank is acrylic do you really want a pleco that will clean the glass? They do have teeth and will definately scratch the inside of your tank. So I would maybe look into the siemese algea eater cause they don't get very big and they won't do as much harm to the acrylic I believe.

Bawb2u wrote:Excellent point! I had a friend the bought a nice big (450 gallon) acrylic tank brand spanking new. He transfered his fish over into it, including 2 plecos ( I don't know the species) and woke up the next day to a crazily hazed front panel from the plecos.

You can't possibly tell me that big plecos don't work well in acrylic tanks, I see it all the time. Or should I really move my 8'' common into a glass tank?

Oh yeah, and this tank is INCREDIBLY messed up. I got it for 10 bucks at a thrift store, but it holds water. It's really used, but it works for a growout.

i'm not saying not to put a pleco in there i was just giving a warning that it will sratch the tank. Like i stated earlier some plecos won't even look twice at the glass so it won't be a big deal.

apachepufferman wrote:i'm not saying not to put a pleco in there i was just giving a warning that it will sratch the tank. Like i stated earlier some plecos won't even look twice at the glass so it won't be a big deal.

I don't think I'm gonna risk this one, I don't trust my fahaka. I have a common in my 100G acrylic that I got new, but whatever.

what size tank is this? tank size is imperative when choosing an algae-eating fish.. i would say it is a higher concern than finding one compatible with the fish you have.

are there any other fish in the tank with the fahaka? this is also something to consider.

wait... that's the 25 gallon? or is it the 20...


i think that for bio-load purposes alone, it would be a job for the mag-float.

J double R wrote:what size tank is this? tank size is imperative when choosing an algae-eating fish.. i would say it is a higher concern than finding one compatible with the fish you have.

are there any other fish in the tank with the fahaka? this is also something to consider.

wait... that's the 25 gallon? or is it the 20...


i think that for bio-load purposes alone, it would be a job for the mag-float.

25G growout with plenty of WCs. I decided to use the mag-float.

i would recommend finding a fahaka-compatible tank before a fahaka-compatible algae eater. remember, water changes don't stop stunting.

J double R wrote:i would recommend finding a fahaka-compatible tank before a fahaka-compatible algae eater. remember, water changes don't stop stunting.

Thank you for your valuable input.

anytime! i'm here for the fish.

J double R wrote:i would recommend finding a fahaka-compatible tank before a fahaka-compatible algae eater. remember, water changes don't stop stunting.

Good call, proper tank size is the first step in proper fish care!

SpockthePuffer, I nevet noticed before you were a gal!