Looking for a good working cat

Hypancistrus · Post by **Hypancistrus** » 17 Dec 2005, 18:57

I need a cat that will fit comfortably into the following system:

29 US Gallons
Ammo/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Less than 10
Temp: 79 degrees F
pH: 6.8
Plants: Swords, Cabomba, moderately planted
Inhabitants: 6 Corydoras trilineatus, 3 Ghost Shrimp, 12 Neon Tetra (P. innesi), 2 Dwarf Cichlids (either Cockatoo or Rams-- haven't decided yet!)

The tank has been set up for 3.5 months and recieves 10 hours of light a day (~1.5 watts per gallon)

I am having a slight problem with brown algae on the front qand side glass and small patches of green algae on the leaves of the sword plants. I scrub the front of the tank and wipe the leaves weekly, but it comes back, undaunted.

I would like an interesting cat that would help with the algae (while still recieving supplemental meals), look interesting, and fit in my tank as an adult.

I do realize that such a fish might not exist! My first two thoughts were either some Otos (I don't know how they do for green algae!) or a whiptail (reccomended in a book I read).

Post by **Silurus** » 17 Dec 2005, 23:18

Any Ancistrus would fit the bill.

Azmeaiel · Post by **Azmeaiel** » 18 Dec 2005, 02:38

Albino ancistrus sp.3 come in bright yellow and will clean up just about any algae except black hair. An interesting looking fish.

Hypancistrus · Post by **Hypancistrus** » 18 Dec 2005, 21:29

Purchased a small Bushynose Pleco labeled as "wild caught." It was all they had, no albinos, only brown, but s/he is pretty enough. Will its "whiskers" on the face get any larger?

mouse6196 · Post by **mouse6196** » 19 Dec 2005, 01:59

Males grow wiskers around the front and up the front of the face. They grow the most and longest whiskers. Females will have short ones usually just around the front. Do a search on BN plecos and you'll see many pics to show the difference.