What fish would eat black beard algae and diatoms and could cohab with a Delhezi Bichir and 3 Congo tetras. The bba is On sand and the green plastic plants.
Algae Eaters
- Thread starter The Masked Shadow
- Start date
As far as I know, there is no common fish that will eat the BBA in any significant volume, such that it would be helpful in eradicating it. Best approach is a combination of mechanical (scrapping by hand), hydrogen peroxide application (lower water level to reach surfaces), and lots of patience/elbow grease, because it will be a long fight. It is possible, but it does not happen quickly or easily.
For diatoms, a number of fish and snails will work on it more successfully.
For diatoms, a number of fish and snails will work on it more successfully.
The two fish usually recommended are Siamese algae eaters and bristlenose plecos. By the looks of some of your pics though, I’d say that the only thing capable of killing that much bba is chemical warfare. Check your nitrates and phosphates, this algae thrives off of that, so step one is reducing that (usually by water changes) and I would suggest adding live plants to compete with the algae.
I tried h2o2 dips on my bba plants and it did nothing, after that I figured I would just live with it, I’ve grown to like it.
One other thing I’d mention is scuds, they eat anything and destroy all kinds of algae. They even ate an entire piece of my hornwort down to a few parts of the stem in 4 days...
I tried h2o2 dips on my bba plants and it did nothing, after that I figured I would just live with it, I’ve grown to like it.
One other thing I’d mention is scuds, they eat anything and destroy all kinds of algae. They even ate an entire piece of my hornwort down to a few parts of the stem in 4 days...
I would expect the bichir and tetras to destroy them fast, but if you have a lot of extra spying around it wouldn’t hurt to try. Shrimp aren’t much of bba eaters as they are hair algae and the other, softer types.
Have Blackbeard Algae in one of my aquariums with live plants and the 2 Bristlenose Pleco don't touch it.
Read that the Siamese Algae Eater is the only fish that will eat it.
Question is whether or not the del is big enough to attempt to eat the SAE?
I don't believe any of the fish suggested will significantly eat BBA, it is not really algae, but Cyanobacteria.
I had it in one tank back in the states, and eliminated it by adding a probiotic (a biological competitor to the filter).
There are a number available, I used Rid-X.
The shots above were taken in June just before adding Rid-X to the filter.
Below, the same log after about a month after adding Rid-X
And below, an entire thread about using probiotics.
The Use of Probiotics in Aquaculture
I had it in one tank back in the states, and eliminated it by adding a probiotic (a biological competitor to the filter).
There are a number available, I used Rid-X.
The shots above were taken in June just before adding Rid-X to the filter.
Below, the same log after about a month after adding Rid-X
And below, an entire thread about using probiotics.
The Use of Probiotics in Aquaculture
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Based on the pictures of your tank with BBA, you are fighting a losing battle. I have had issues in all my tanks. Here is what I would do if I were you....
Do a 75% Water Change.
Remove all of the plants and hardscape.
Remove all of the leaves with BBA from the plants and spray the ''clean'' plants with peroxide.
Boil any of the hardscape and scrape off any existing algae.
Remove any algae from any hardware, glass, tubing, filters etc. Spray with peroxide as well.
Start treating the tank with Excel. Add Excel with every WC.
Cut down on your lighting period. You don't need the lights on for any longer than 8 hrs a day.
Add floating plants, to compete with the algae for nutrients.
Add a couple nerite snails, some otos, and a BN pleco if you can.
Do a 75% Water Change.
Remove all of the plants and hardscape.
Remove all of the leaves with BBA from the plants and spray the ''clean'' plants with peroxide.
Boil any of the hardscape and scrape off any existing algae.
Remove any algae from any hardware, glass, tubing, filters etc. Spray with peroxide as well.
Start treating the tank with Excel. Add Excel with every WC.
Cut down on your lighting period. You don't need the lights on for any longer than 8 hrs a day.
Add floating plants, to compete with the algae for nutrients.
Add a couple nerite snails, some otos, and a BN pleco if you can.
Otos like softer water, I believe. My del is 9-10 inches, so small fish are out. He doesnt bother the tetras, but they are fast moving. So I would need to get a large bristlenose. I dont know how he would react to a bristlenose, or nerite.