Emergency! Dying algae eaters! Help?

Byron

Just came to this thread. From what's been posted back and forth, I would first suspect fungus on the wood.

There are dozens if not hundreds of species of fungus in the world; some are not serious to life, but many types are deadly toxic. Having had white fungus on a branch of Mopani (I think) that nearly killed my fish, I wold get rid of the wood. Do a major water change, two a couple days apart, to ensure no remant is in the water. Again, it depends upon the fungus, but what i had caused slightly cloudy water and affected other fish.

If you decide to replace either fish, I wold get either but not both. Farlowella are ravenous algae grazers, and will easily clean a tank of common green algae (or the brown diatoms). This is their food source. They will become accustomed to sinking foods in time, as they get hungry. I have had this fascinating fish for years, and spawned them (which is not difficult, but raising the fry is).

Byron.

Lolcat

Yeah i think i'll pass on the pleco. Now i just need to find a farlowella seeing as the store i got em from doesnt carry them anymore (limited time stock). Thanks.

Byron

Yes, they will be wild caught unless someone locally breeds them, and thus usually available according to their "season."