SAE frustration

[sub-80]

Hello

I bought 4 True SAE and 2 Chinese SAE, and after just one day I noticed that the hair algae was reduced to about half but after that day there has been no noticeable hair algae reduction. The true SAE have been either lazying on the ground or looking for food on the sand nowhere near the hair algae. The Chinese SAE are almost the same expect they lazy on the glass.

Am thinking of providing an additional food for the SAE to stimulate their appetite. I am currently feeding my fish "Spectrum Grow" by new life and "Biofish food" by Aquarium Munster, I toggle between them during the week. I am thinking of using h20 stable wafers as they're large enough to be noticed and large enough not to be gobbled quickly by the neon tetra.

The algae problem is discussed here.

[acitydweller]

how long have they been in the tank now? perhaps they already found other more interesting things in the tank to feed on? starving the tank a few days has proven successful for some to turn them back on to algae. feeding them more surely would give them an alternative to algae which would be less attractive and be otherwise counterproductive.

[sub-80]

Originally Posted by acitydweller

how long have they been in the tank now? perhaps they already found other more interesting things in the tank to feed on? starving the tank a few days has proven successful for some to turn them back on to algae. feeding them more surely would give them an alternative to algae which would be less attractive and be otherwise counterproductive.

They have been in the tank for about a week. I might starve them for three days.

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by acitydweller

... they already found other more interesting things in the tank to feed on? ...

The same can be said for Amano Shrimp, Cherry shrimp , and even Ramshorn snails. Algae crew members are always going to fill up on prepared food BEFORE eating algae. It is basic survival. The prepared food is a temporary bonus, the Algae is a constant.

Starve off the tank until it appears completely clean of algae, then wait another day before you offer food. There will still be algae you can't see without a magnifying glass.

[hobos]

don't feed them let them eat the algea how big are they

[sub-80]

Originally Posted by hobos

don't feed them let them eat the algea how big are they

I have 4 true SAE, which are between 1-2 inches, the 2 Chinese SAE are 2 inches.


I have 120 liter (30 gallon) tank, should I get more? They are rare in my country I might no see some for a year or two not until someone personally orders them.

[msawdey]

Originally Posted by sub-80

I have 4 true SAE, which are between 1-2 inches, the 2 Chinese SAE are 2 inches.


I have 120 liter (30 gallon) tank, should I get more? They are rare in my country I might no see some for a year or two not until someone personally orders them.

DO NOT GET MORE

I have had 6 in my 50 gallons for about 9 months now. THEY ARE HUGE. They will only keep growing

[DogFish]

Agreed

Once the Algae is under control a 30 gal tank might be best with only 2 SAEs.

As your fish grow the CAE will be less interested in the Algae and may start to get nasty with other fish. Don't be surprised if you find a jumper or two. The SAEs will get a aggressive with each other.

I had two about 1.5" when I got them. Around 2.5 " they started to fight and eventually one jumped out. I have the one 4" now 6mos. later in a 40gl. I would not add a 2nd one now. when he gets around 5" I'll trade him in to the LFS and get another small 1" size SAE and start again.

[sub-80]

Yeah, I guess so, but when they get 4" long I most likely drop them in the other tank (350 liter = 90 gallon). The tank has 5-8" red parrot fish, which are aggressive. They tend to eat small fish so I need the SAE to grow enough to not be eaten so easily.

[hobos]

when mine got to be 4 inches long i brought them back to big als they didnt want to take them because they lose there algea eating skills

[Fdsh5]

I just got rid of mine for the same reason. I replaced them with ottos and threw in some of my cull shrimp. The angels don't mind. They haven't eaten the shrimp yet. They're too busy chasing each other to even notice and with all the vals in the tank, they'll probably never see them

[Hmoobthor]

I have one SAE and when it grew big and fat...it stop killing any algae...but eat only process food...

Have to let it go...didn't do much for my tank anymore

also thats alot of SAE and CAE for that tank..

[dmagerl]

I just put an SAE in my tank. The first thing it did was seek out each and every pond snail and nibble the shell of the snail. I probably have the cleanest most algae free pond snails in the world.

The tank, not so much.

[sub-80]

Originally Posted by Hmoobthor

also thats alot of SAE and CAE for that tank..

Yeah, wanted to get rid of the algae as fast as possible.

Originally Posted by SINcity

Perhaps you have "algae frustration" don't blame your fish

wow did expect anyone to defend the fishys.

Am gonna go a bit harder on the algae and turn off the light off for the whole day, today.

[mistergreen]

Try reducing your lights. The algae crew is there to manage algae, not eliminate them.
There are certain algae that no fish will take on.