Hi all,

 

I'm fighting with hairy green algae in 2 of my tanks. I may face the same problem in a 3rd one.

All these tanks, from 65 to 120l, are well cycled, though there are only a tenth of Neocaridina Davidi in each, Neon yellows, Pumpkins and Blue pearls. I was told that the Neocaridina are not good for controling hairy algaes, as Typus are one of the best in that job.

Even though the hairy algae has disappeared from my 120l with a colony of about 100 red cherries, it's a true fact that the 50l tank where I breed the typus is absolutely free of hairy algae, as they were quite a lot when I first introduced the Typus.

 

But, the Typus is about twice the size of a Big Mama cherry. I have measured a Typus, and found it more than 4.5cms. They do not seem to be agressive, but as I don't know, I don't want to put some in the algae infested tanks and have them wiping the small colony as the Neocaridina females are just berried.

 

Any of you have some Typus mixed with cherries? How are they doing? Do they bully the small cherries?

 

Should I just be patient and wait for my colonies to grow so the cherries should get rid of the hairy algae?

Edited April 29, 201511 yr by Matuva

I've had typus in with my chameleons, which are smaller than cherries, with no problems. The typus did tend to be able to get to the food even if covered by chameleons but I suspect that had more to do with the size difference rather than bullying behaviour per se. I did have only a few typus to many chameleons, so the behaviour of the typus may be different if there are lots of typus.

Thanks Fishmoy ;)

 

So, I will put only 4 typus in each tank. These are non berried females, so they will not compete with the Neocaridina once the colony will grow up.

 

I'm a bit anxious as each time I feed the typus, I can see them "boxing" each other to grab the granule then escaping with it. They often grab a granule and run with it like if they were saying "Mine, mine..."

Probably after each typus grabs a granule or a pellet, the cherries can eat quietly.

 

I think I will wait untill the Caridina have hatched. Better not stress them now that they are berried and take the risk of having them loosing their eggs because of stress

Edited April 29, 201511 yr by Matuva

Sounds like a plan. My typus always stood at the food and ate. Guessing the difference in behaviour is due to them competing against smaller chameleons vs. other similar sized typus in your case.

Found this : http://bubblesaquarium.com/images/home%20mid_photo/Article%20on%20Algae/freshwater_algae.htm

Abalone snail is a good name for one of the snails I get. That's a good read

 

Bob

Interesting. Do they overcrowd the tank fast or breed at a "reasonable level"

I had a lot of pain in getting rid off ramshorn in my Discus tank as they breed so profusely

Edited April 30, 201511 yr by Matuva

Assuming bob is talking about a nerite - Nerites dont breed in freshwater. They produce larvae that need brackish water to develop.