I have 4 fantail gf 3 2" and a single 1" fish. Its a big tank there in (40gal) with plants bogwood and gravel

The only problem I have now is algae. Its not too bad but its a bit annoying because it always seems to return. I know you can get phosphate removing patches etc but i think that would adversly affect my plants...

What experiences have you guys had with sucking loaches....I had the idea when I went to a pet store with a sucking loach in each tank with gf...they were all totally clear of algae....do loaches attack gf??

i think your talking about a coman pleco. they are a nono in golfish tanks they do an awsome job but they will attack you goldfish and hurt them realy bad. snails are the best thing for goldfish tanks. one or two aple snails will do your size tank. wen you find you dont have any alge growing you will need to feed the snails though.

sorry kissez but, in all fairness, i feel that i need to elaborate on plecos a bit. your post made all plecos sound like evil goldfish killers that cant wait for you to turn your back. of course, this is far from the truth.

plecos (common) have a slight tendency to be somewhat aggresive (this is a relative statement though). moreso, the aggression is towards other plecos. they do not actively persue a goldfish (or any healthy fish) to "suck on". however, if you have a sick fish (lethargic) in the same tank as one, you could possibly wind up with a munched on goldie. BUT, goldfish will also do the same exact thing to each other. if a pleco (common) is malnourished and/or in too small an environment, you could run into problems as well. this is not to say that all commons are perfect angels.

many, many, many fishkeepers have been keeping common plecos in a wide array of aquariums with not a single problem other than the pleco outgrowing his environment. i am one of them.

there are other types of plecos that have a much better reputation with goldfish. a couple to look out for are bristlenose plecos (bushynose) and rubbernose plecos (rubberlip). both stay pretty small and from what ive read, seem to remain vegetarian. both are excellent candidates for your 40 gallon and will keep it spotless of algae. (literally spotless, overnight) however, there is 1 type of algae that i personally know that they cant clean up, thats spot algae. but, spot algae is generally found in well established aquariums, grows VERY slowly and can very easily be maintained by a monthly glass scrubbing.

so, with this and other available information in mind, there is a general rule of thumb that basically says "novice aquarists shouldnt attempt mixing common plecos with fancy goldfish". once youve got a better understanding of their needs (and individual dispositions), it can be attempted with successful results.

i highly suggest a rubberlip or bushynose for your tank (they are just plain awesome janitors). just ask anybody who has one if they are willing to part with it. ive got a feeling that the answer would be

if you need any info on them, just check out the compatible fish forum here at kokos.

hope this helps "clear some things up."

paul

i have had no luck with snails when it comes to removing/eating algae...i've had quite a few snails, none of them did much for the algae...plus, you can't salt an aquarium with a snail in it.

hi i have a loach with a goldfish and it is driving it mad as it tries to suck on its slime. DONT GET ONE its not worth the hassle :angry:

I have in my other tank a butterfly plec and as it only grows a few cm it is ideal and leaves the fantails alone. If you ask for a small growing plec then the shop should have something suitable.

sandy edit your post...and they aint loaches theyre plecos of course theyre suck the slime they think its food.

Loaches don't eat algae (but some kinds are great pets).

A few snails won't eat enough algae to matter (but are great pets).

Siamese algae eaters do eat some algae, and are really neat to watch.

The only things that remove significant amounts of algae in my tanks are me (with a brush) and the baby bristlenose plecs. They are lots more successful and diligent than I am, but I still need to remove a few spots on the front of the tank. And now that most of the algae is gone, the plecs need their own algae wafers and pellets for catfish.

Caroline in San Jose

well i have a weather loach that does eat algae. He keeps the tank really clean. Maybe you call them something else where you are. He certainly aint no plec. Im sure gorebash is talking about loaches as that is all you will see in with goldfish when you buy a goldfish in a british pet shop.
What do you mean by editing my post red cap oranda??

edit your post if your going to post post responsibly save space..

A loach in the uk is the same as an algae eater in the U.S.

I am with toothless..

I am another person that have pleco in my tanks living with my goldfishes..

the good thing I have enjoyed is that I have never have to worry about algae anymore.. literally no more.. except for some area that is Mission Impossible for the pleco especially with its current size (more accessible for small pleco)

the bad side, nothing much.. jus depends on personal preference.. the pleco tends to get over excited sometime that it enjoy floor its accelerator and start zooming around that stir up the tank badly.. the effect is worse as my pleco grows bigger.. another bad thing is that they are always eating.. and there isn't enough algae to satisfy his hunger so it will want to fight for his share on goldfish food.. when he fights, he will suck on the goldfishes to frighten them away leaving the pleco alone with the food.. but goldfishes wont give up FOOD so easily, so it can be messy sometime during feeding... once fed, they go their own way and they can live in harmony..

another bad thing, my pleco is really growing.. it was only 1 inch when I bought him.. he is 7.5 inch today and he is still growing!!

well i would not support any pleco with any goldfish.

y would i say so? if i were to love my goldfish, i would not want anyone, or anything to disturb the peace my goldfish has.

i would hand clean the algae away once a month instead.

no offences.

loach's are not plecos