What will eat blue-green algae?

Dwarf Puffers

Dwarf Puffers

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Dec 11, 2006
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It's pretty hard picking out the algae, even if it isn't growing because of Erythromycin. Are there any fish, snails, shrimp, anything that will eat the adult algae? Oh, and will otos eat the young stuff?

Edit: If anything does eat cyano bacteria in freshwater...
 
Dwarf Puffers said:
It's pretty hard picking out the algae, even if it isn't growing because of Erythromycin. Are there any fish, snails, shrimp, anything that will eat the adult algae? Oh, and will otos eat the young stuff?

Edit: If anything does eat cyano bacteria in freshwater...
Click to expand...

I don't know what eats it (if anything does it will only be a temporary fix) but I know what causes it and how to get rid of it.

BGA is not actually algae. It is actually a photosynthetic bacteria. (I see you already know this but for the sake of other readers I'll repeat) Also, it can fix its own nitrogen. (As a result of this complex chemical process, oxygen is toxic to it) This is all very relevant to how it can be combated and removed from the tank, where if untreated, it will envelop healthy plants and kill them by blocking out the light.


Cause: Low nitrate levels (NO3), Low water circulation creating dead spots, and organic waste build up.

Treatment: Maracyn dosing (follow instructions on packet) OR you can always do a 3-5 day black out. (I would use this as a last resort)

Since it already has a foothold removing it manually will only provide a temporary solution. (It might make it grow back faster) Since it is a bacteria there is no way to get it all out of your tank this way. Dosing nitrates and increasing oxygen through circulation will not help at this stage.

Your only real options are Maracyn treatment, blackout, or break down the entire tank and sterilize everything. Obviously Maracyn is the preferred choice. When dosing keep an eye on nitrate spikes as the BGA bacteria dies. If they get too high you can keep them in check with water changes.

Good luck!!!
 
Last edited:
NOTHING eats bga. gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac
 
erythromycin does work all by itself. It will turn brown and you can stir up the tank to have it filtered out.
 
I have bumblebee clithons and olive nerites that I know for sure eat cyano. I assume the others will too, just don't have any in my cyano doom tank so can't say for sure.
 
inkyjenn said:
NOTHING eats bga. gravel vac, gravel vac, gravel vac
Click to expand...


My python doesn't have really great suction. Most algae chunks are too heavy :duh:


prolude006 said:
erythromycin does work all by itself. It will turn brown and you can stir up the tank to have it filtered out.
Click to expand...


I sure hope it turns brown. It hasn't yet, but it's only been a day or two. It hasn't grown, though :)


Inka4040 said:
I have bumblebee clithons and olive nerites that I know for sure eat cyano. I assume the others will too, just don't have any in my cyano doom tank so can't say for sure.
Click to expand...


Thanks :)
 
Follow EM direction to a tee and it'll clear up your BGA....but, if you don't fix the problem it will definitely come back--quickly.

2 things to do that will prevent BGA are:

1)Increase circulation. Hydor Koralia works wonders

2)Dose nitrogen


The EM can have an effect on your biofilter if you use it too long. On the other side of that, any negative effects the EM has on your cycle will be more than taken care of by a heavily planted tank.
 
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