[LongTimeAquarist]

Okay, I'm thinking on buying a few Oto to take care of algae in my 10g tank, but right now the algae is flaking away off the walls, leaving whatever would be on the live plants I have in it. While I know there are chances that the algae would grow back eventually, what I would like to know is that would they eat the flake food that falls on the gravel, or should I stock up on algae wafers? And should I buy a few cory or shrimp if they won't double as scavengers? And which would be the best?

 

[lilnaugrim]

My oto's barely eat the prepared foods, they eat algae and fresh veggies if they must. Regular Cucumber sliced is their favorite.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

Along with any other fish that might find it interesting. And I'm pretty sure pickles are out of the idea.

 

[lilnaugrim]

huh?

I can't tell if you're joking or serious lol.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

The first part serious, the other part joking. Anyway, would I be safe if Oto catfish or would I be better off buying either corys or shrimp?

 

[sprmankalel]

I have 5 otos in my 50 gallon. I don't see them really eating algae. I scrape it mostly. I don't know what they are surviving off of but they've been in there for a year and I am not feeding algae wafers. I feed flakes and Aqueon Bottom Feeder Tablets (for corys and cat shark). I've never fed any vegetables. Corys won't eat algae.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

So it's 50/50 with the Oto. Right now I need something that can probably pull off double duty, or buy two different things altogether.

 

[sprmankalel]

Algae comes mostly from an imbalance in nutrients and can be controlled by getting to that root cause rather than fixing the issue with any type of inhabitant. This is something I am sure you're aware of. And I am not trying to put you off by saying it. I have accepted that I will have some algae and that my best defense is scraping it. This will leave you room for the shrimp as I hear they are great scavengers.

 

[LongTimeAquarist]

Yeah, well, I already have live plants helping out with the balance, but I would still feel better if I have fish there to help take care of any algae that grows in places that I can't see. Plus I enjoy it a little when I see things like Otos at work when it comes to such things.

 

[sprmankalel]

I understand. I had a stag horn algae outbreak. I am running DIY co2. It is helping in a lot of ways.