Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 11:17:40
-0800 (PST)
From: esarchy@wsunix.wsu.edu
To: Aquatic-Plants@actwin.com
This is in regards to Claudio Dioguardi's original post about the
usefulness of the loricariids from the genera Glyptoperichthys,
Peckoltia, and Hypoptopoma as algae eaters. Pterygoplichthys is
no longer a valid genus and its members now belong to
Glyptoperichthys. There are numerous fish being sold under the
trade name G. gibbiceps that are, quite likely, more than half a
dozen valid spp. (e.g. L 23, L 83a, L 83b, L83c, L 165, L 196).
This may explain why David Whittaker's fish has never eaten his
plants, but the G. gibbiceps that I have kept always decimate
plants. The other problem, as David mentioned, is the this fish
grows too large for the planted tank.
Peckoltia spp. are also not very useful as algae eaters. These fish come from fast flowing streams and prefer to hide rather than get out and "graze" the tank. They also are far more attracted to "meaty foods" than algae and will only eat algae when they are really hungry. Hypoptopoma, which are not very common in the trade, are perhaps the best choice for algae control. They eat algae like Otocinclus spp., but get a little larger and thus do a better job (plus they can be kept with tankmates that might think of ottos as snacks). You are on the right track. The best way to keep algae under control with fish is to have a diverse group of algae eaters that will prey on whatever tries to grow in your tank.
-Shane