Algae eaters?

Question

I was wondering In the past 3 months ive gone through 4-5 algae eaters.. What could be the cause of this? I have algae food and everything, just wondering why they would keep dying!?!

Answer 1

the tanks are definately too small.  1 pleco needs a lot of space, especially with other fish.  a 50 gallon to a 40 gallon would be able to sustain a pleco with all of that fish.

Answer 2

I have the same luck with them.  Don't buy them at Petco or Petsmart, though, they don't treat their fish very well and every one that I buy there dies within 2 week - 1 month!  You might try to get one that is larger that your cichlids because most cichlids are very aggressive and might be killing your pleco. although I can't really give you much advice I can say try getting an Otinclus catfish instead they live a several years in my tank!!

Answer 3

Algae eater is a generic name for many different types of fish.  Knowing what kind would be helpful.  Tank size, tank mates, water conditions, also.

Answer 4

More info..... What other fish are in the tank with them? How large of a tank do you have? Where did you buy them? Sometimes Petco and Petsmart sell fish that are sick.   Try a local pet shop. You might have better luck. I would try to either get new ones for them or get a refund. Sorry about your algae eaters.

Answer 5

the 14 gallon tank would eventually get too small for them, but the 36 gallon tank should last them a very long time. it could be that the food isn't good enough. all i use to feed mine were big chunks of cucumber weighted at the bottom of the tank. i have now released the fish i had in my tank into a outdoor pond and he is around a foot long. they are very hardy fish and shouldn't be bothered by cichlids