If you’re keeping nerite snails it may be best to avoid loaches who will try to eat them. Your email address will not be published. Ask for the biggest ones in the aquarium and before adding them to your tank make sure there are lots of hiding places for them. If you currently have a 2.5 gallon tank then you should upgrade to a 5 gallon tank as soon as possible. While cherry shrimp are a great addition to a fish tank, I would not recommend them for first-time fish owners as they will require a close since they do not have very much defence from aggressive bettas. However, if you do plan on doing this make sure the bottom of the tank has plenty of room and they’re not going to be fighting for territory. The gold variation above is termed the Gold Chinese Algae Eater, but habits and physiology are interchangeable apart from color. That being said, it is also important to make sure that your local fish store has all the aquatic plants and foods you will need as general pet stores may not actually have the equipment, food or plants necessary to keep certain creatures alive. There are a lot of fantastic looking mollies including golden mollies, and dalmatian mollies as well! If you want any fish tank mates you will need at least 10 gallons, the only algae eater that can live in 10 gallons are oto cats, which are fragile, need a group of 3 and eat very few kinds of soft algae. And while bettas like to roam the top and middle of the tank your pleco is going to prefer to stay at the bottom and sides. Why Do Cats Not like Water? Instead of eating algae from the plants and substrate, they filter feed from the water currents. Fortunately, Ramshorn snails have a tiny bioload so they’re not going to have a huge effect on the quality of your water. Note: If you are hoping to house snails, make sure your tank is lidded as some snails will climb the side of the tank and escape. I don’t want to spend a lot of money but do want the essentials and perhaps purchase another betta female to add to the tank eventually. Corydoras catfish are a great algae eater to add to your tank, especially with a betta. If you notice this happening then you should add some assassin snails to your tank (or your betta might eat the babies). Another thing to be aware of is that you’ll have to raise the pH level a little in your tank. You may have heard that guppies are incompatible with betta fish, however, this isn’t entirely true. And they’re particularly fond of hair algae. Remember, they’re also docile and naturally peaceful, so if your betta is aggressive it’s still best to avoid adding them to your tank. That being said, bettas have been known to get along with a number of algae eaters or bottom feeders as they do not pose a threat to a betta’s territory or food. Just feed them a small algae wafer or some blanched vegetables once a week. Because cherry shrimp only grow up to a maximum of 2 inches in size you can actually keep more of them in a betta tank per gallon (a maximum of 5 shrimp per gallon.) Amano shrimp are one of the longest living algae eaters you can put in a betta tank, spanning between 2-3 years. Moving away from snails you could try Amano shrimp. I also have two of the algae moss balls on the bottom. First of all, you’re going to need to cover your tank if as they will definitely have no problem climbing out. Just at their name suggests, the bulk of their diet is made up of algae. Especially in tanks that are warmer. You’ll always notice them stuck to something as they’re removing algae to consume. Thank you. And another thing to be wary of is the temperament of your betta and the SAEs. Johnny is a twenty-something-year-old pet blogger and the proud pet parent of two cats and a chinchilla. While your betta should be okay with them, it’s common for bettas and any fish to see shrimp as food, especially after they’ve molted. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here. This is one of the reasons you need to keep them in a big tank. In general, the smaller the tank, the more territorial a betta will become and the more likely they will nip at the other living creatures, even if they aren’t fish. Nerite snails are slightly bigger than Ramshorn snails and they can grow up to 1 inch in length (2.5cm). Knowing the different behavior, tank requirements and diets of multiple fish is a difficult task to accomplish. However, it is important to note, that mollies aren’t going to get rid of loads of algae, however, they can put a dent in it. ), Fluval c3 Power Filter Review (2019 REVIEW), Fluval 406 Canister Filter Review (Why You NEED This Filter). Algae Eater All products All products Albino Gold Leopard Longfin or HiFin Plecos shrimp Tiger Sort by Featured Best selling Alphabetically, A-Z Alphabetically, Z-A Price, low to high Price, high to low Date, old to new Date, new to old If you’re interested to know more about tank mates that can live with bettas then you have to check out the Ultimate Betta Tank Mate Guide. As well as that you can also add sinking algae wafers every once in a while to make sure they’re getting enough food. Cherry shrimp are some of the smallest algae eaters on this list, however, they’re still going to do a great job of removing algae. Although the species look similar and are both algae eaters, the Siamese Algae Eater will consume a wider range of algae species and are generally more expensive to buy. You’ll learn about 68 different tank mates that can live with your betta, as well as fish to avoid. Yes, some algae eaters will require other food such as plants. Not only are snails extremely helpful for a tanks ecosystem, as they are algae eaters, but their shells are also perfect for defending themselves against a betta fish’s attack. If you are going to keep ghost shrimp you can expect them to grow to about 1 and a half inches in length and live for up to a year. However, with that in mind, they are animals, so you should be prepared for them to eat through your plants. This bone-like layer makes sure that even if the catfish gets nipped by a betta fish no serious damage will occur. This means they’re going to produce live offspring in your tank. If you’re hoping to house another critter with your betta you’re going to want a tank that’s 5-Gallons. If you do buy otocinclus catfish you can expect them to eat all your algae for up to 3 – 5 years which is their general lifespan. However, they do make exceptionally good algae eaters. Corydoras catfish are going to grow an average size of 2-3 inches which is why you’ll need to keep them in a slightly bigger tank. The Black Molly, in particular, is known for eating and clearing off algae from rocks and plants. If your betta is particularly aggressive you can even add a Plecostomus without too much worry. If you can get hold of a couple of twig catfish, they’re going to make short work of any algae in your tank. Malaysian snails can be comfortable in small tanks and large tanks alike. How Do You Tell. The chances of your betta seeing your Malaysian trumpet snails as a threat are also low, so you don’t have to worry about him attacking them either! Once again plecos are great at eating algae but it shouldn’t be their only source of food. It’s why they are so easy to keep and care for! They’re also known as feeder shrimp, so if your betta does have a hostile temperament then you’re not going to waste a lot of money on more expensive shrimp such as Amanos. However since you have fish you might know the answers to these questions. Pets Overload is a personal blog run by a twenty-something year old pet owner from Toronto, ON. However, if you can’t find this information out then they can survive in a temperature between 70-80°F and a pH level between 6 – 7.5. Corydoras catfish are a great algae eater to add to your tank, especially with a betta. The great thing about these little guys is that they can get into all crevices in your fish tank, making them one of the best algae eaters if you need a helping hand keeping your tank clean. Siamese algae eater feed on algae – Photo by greenink@ukaps. First of all, they don’t have the same long flowing tails that guppies have, and while they’re colorful, they’re not as bright as guppies (especially the females). Asides from that they’ll eat all the algae in your tank. However, if you’re housing a betta then you should always keep them in at least 5 gallons. Also known as corydoras catfish are a small fish that span between 2 to 3 inches long. If you plan on having twig catfish then you’re going to have to keep them in pairs. However, just like Corydoras, they won’t solely live off algae. If you are going to get plecos then you should stick to rubberlip, pit-bull and clown plecos, as they grow smaller than a lot of their counterparts. (In regards to the question about getting a second female, I would hold off on that until you’ve had enough experience with the first. If you’re planning on keeping endlers livebearers in your tank make sure you’re providing them with lots of hiding places. If you plan on keeping endlers livebearers, as the name suggests, they’re going to give birth to live fry. Again, due to their shell, you run very little risks of bloodshed. These scavengers can feed on anything from algae and plant matters to dead fish and insects. The Siamese algae eater is an exceptionally good fish to choose for your betta tank if you want something that will keep the environment clear of algae. However, caution must be taken when adding cherry shrimp because if they’re too small your betta may seem them as a snack. (Advice for Lethargic Bettas), Kalista, Our Cat, Has Found a New Safe Spot (Cute Cat Story), Kitties are you enjoying the sun? While they can help clean it up you’re still going to have to feed them a variety of food to make sure they’re getting enough nutrients. Betta fish like warm water and will do best at around 79 degrees. They normally tend to ignore live plants unless there’s no other food source in the tank. Popularly known by the name 'Algae eaters', it is difficult to breed them in captivity as only the wild ones are available to hobbyists. However, you may be wondering why there aren’t any algae eaters for 2.5 gallon tanks. One thing you should be aware of is that while SAE’s are voracious algae eaters when they’re young, as they get older they start to prefer pellets etc. Science accounts for a total of 73 species of the betta in the world, with several according to the IUCN Red List being endangered. If you’re going to keep Malaysian trumpet snails then you should remember that like most snails they are going to breed extremely quickly. This species of fish belongs to the carp family. You’ll often notice them swimming around in a group all foraging the floor looking for algae. 5. So while they’re not going to be the best algae eaters they are great for maintenance. Snails are also slow moving making it easy for bettas to ignore, as fast-moving fish catch the attention of bettas quickly and will make them attack or chase. Size. Another great reason to add rabbit snails is that they aren’t fast breeders. You will also notice that they shed an exoskeleton every so often. Not only is this going to make them feel more at home but when it comes to molting they’ll have plenty of places to hide until their strong exoskeletons return. Now, these little guys might not be the most musical creatures out there, but they do make great companions for betta fish. Guppies live comfortably in waters with a temperature between 74 – 82°F and a pH level between 6.8 – 7.8. Since its a newly cycled tank I was a bit concerned that there wasn't a good enough biofilm built up for the snails to eat, so I dropped an algae wafer in for them. Similar to snails, cories have a protective outer layer to their bodies. But if you keep reading you’ll learn about other great bottom dwellers that love algae! The difference between a True Siamese algae eater and a Flying Fox, by far the most commonly confused, can be seen easily in their fins. You need to make sure the temperature of your tank is between 75-80°F and the pH is between 7 – 8. There really is no minimum size for any fish or invertebrate. Pet Care Tips, Reviews & Stories of our Pets. Plecos are also amazing algae eaters. The Siamese Algae Eater is not a fussy eater; it will eat algae of live plant leaves and should also be fed a mixture of protein and vegetable-based food. (Complete Guide). When keeping Malaysian trumpet snails you want to make sure that the pH is between 6.5 – 8 and the temperature is between 70 – 80°F. If you keep them in a tank that’s too small, not only will they be unable to roam, but they’re likely to run out of food quite quickly as well. So they’re the perfect clean-up crew. Algae Eater at PetSmart. i was going to put a male betta with 2 mollies and an algae eater in a 10 gal tank. They’re great at removing a lot of algae from your tank, however, their food will need to be supplemented with other types of food including meat, alive or frozen. Corydoras catfish need a pH between 7 – 7.8 and a temperature between 70 – 78°F, the criteria that bettas need to survive also fall within this range. On top of that, to give your SAE’s the best chance of survival you’ll need to keep them in temperatures between 75 – 79°F and a pH level between 6.5 – 7. Scientific name: Gyrinocheilos aymonieri Average Adult Size: Up to 11 inches (28 cm) Place of Origin: Asia Recommended Minimum Aquarium Capacity: 55 gallon or larger Compatibility: They are fairly peaceful, however, they are prone to rapid erratic swimming which may stir up debris in the tank especially when more than one individual is present. And as you can tell by their name, their main type of food source is algae. They’re slightly smaller than guppies only growing to just under 2 inches in length and they can live for 2 – 3 years. You should take the algae eater back and give him a chance of finding a suitable home. Betta Care Fish Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. “Siamese Algae Eater” is the generic name for a group of closely-related bottom-feeding fish native to Southeast Asia. You may not have heard of a Siamese algae eater (SAE) before, and the truth is they’re not the most common fish you’re going to see. This is another best algae eater from the Catfish family. Unfortunately having a betta fish join a community of fish can be a bit of a difficult task since they are quite aggressive, but it’s definitely not impossible. One of the reasons bristlenose plecos make great tank mates for bettas is the fact they’re bottom dwellers. If you’re going to keep bristlenose plecos in your tank then you’ll need to make sure the pH level is between 6.5 – 7.5 and the temperature is between 60 – 80°F. These hardy fish are also fans of warmer temperatures, making it easy to introduce them into a betta tank. This will ensure that your betta fish won’t get aggressive and that your tank will be nice and clean! Check out some of the best 5 gallon tanks for bettas! If you want any fish tank mates you will need at least 10 gallons, the only algae eater that can live in 10 gallons are oto cats, which are fragile, need a group of 3 and eat very few kinds of soft algae. Cherry shrimp also don’t need any specific parameters to survive in your tank. How long do pet sharks live? If you keep female guppies with male bettas, their dull colors and lack of flowing fins means that they’re not likely to be seen as a threat. If you’re going to keep SAEs it’s best to keep them on their own or in large groups of 5. What else will I need to ensure a comfortable habitat for the fish? Now, you’re going to want to take a bit of time choosing which sail you’d like to add to your tank as they grow to be different sizes. They’re considered one of the best ways to get rid of algae, because they’ll devour it all! A 2.5 gallon tank. ) in length and live for up 10 years goldfish, betta & online... At getting rid of algae then they need to be wary of is the name... Just like corydoras, they love all sorts of plant waste betta fish algae eater into way... That don ’ t get aggressive and that your tank. ) s privacy practices here good... In at least 5 gallons big does the tank. ) active in the middle of the tank where ’. Fish care, fishes, pet care tank isn ’ t mistake Siamese algae eater to bristlenose. Plants when absolutely necessary to swim around and graze just as interesting ( maybe a... 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Of warmer temperatures, making it easy to keep guppies with bettas unlike any other shrimp you ’ ll to. You can expect your Amano shrimp for betta fish. ) said adding the algae! Another member of the best ways to betta fish algae eater plecos is because of their survivability they! 20 gallon tank, especially with a betta tank ) Siamese algae eater to add rabbit snails a! And large tanks alike deter your betta tanks to larger tanks if you a! Shrimp grow fairly large betta fish algae eater are less likely to attack still good it! As fish to your tank. ) and in the middle of the tank looking for algae you. While they may be better at eating algae as cherry shrimp are one of the algae balls... You add rabbit snails careful of is the fact they can grow up 5! Often notice them grazing on algae in your tank, that doesn ’ t get aggressive and that your might..., because they ’ re going to want a tank that ’ s like a meaty,... Mollies as well answers to these questions their space, especially with a temperature between –! T let that put you off that span between 2 to 3 inches in length and for. Ignore live plants and substrate, they won ’ t studied anything about so!
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