Windows 7 - Strange aquarium growth

I keep freshwater tropical fish and ever since I started using a different brand of fish food flakes (from China that smelt rather rank a real strong fishy smell) my tank is gradually being taken over by a growth of what looks to all intents and purposes a dark green / grey growth of cat's fur.

It grows just about on any surface including some of the air tubing and has reached the stage where I have to clean the hang on filter inlet twice a day.

Have tried anti fungals and change water etc etc to no effect.

Anyone got any idea what this pest is and how to get rid of it please?

Hi,

Its probably beard/brush algae, and notoriously difficult to get rid of. Treatments and water changes will not help at all.

The Siamese Algae Eater (SAE) is one of a very few species that eats it...a word of caution : only the true SAE (Crossocheilus siamensis) eats this type algae. Many species get sold as the SAE, for example the Chinese Algae Eater, but these do not touch bearded/brush algae at all and have a nasty habit of sucking large holes out of the slime coat of large bodied fish (e.g. Discus) eventually leading to their demise. Do your research carefully - use a fish shop of repute! The SAE does well in a peaceful community aquarium.

Apart from that, start cutting down on the lighting in the tank. If you don't have live plants, try a week of no lighting to inhibit growth, but longer term its manual cleaning and a pair of SAE's to do the job.

Regards,
Golden

I suppose you've stopped using the food that started the problem ?

A few snails thrown in might help control it too, although snails tend to multiply, so you'll have to keep your eye on those.

have you tried a system restore

Hum did find out after a long Google and yes I used to have two Flyers but will have to get a couple more - trouble is they fought quite a bit but anything is better than this mess it's made.

The food heaven knows what was in it probably ground up offal as it was definitely after using that food. They get el cheapo stuff now plus live mosquito larva which brings out such beautiful colours in the fish particularly the neons and Cardinals.

I did see that Bristle noses do the same job so might try a couple of them too. Jeez I could kick myself for doing that

The snails are going to be a last resort as I had them before and they went wild.

System restore only if you come and haul the ruddy great rocks out for me Boobah

Thanks all anyway

Florida Flag Fish eat the algae also, but you need to avoid the males as they can be aggressive

ps , my last post was a link

Hi,

BNC's (Bristlenose Cat Fish) are good algae eaters....but they will definately not touch the beard/brush algae. Flag fish are an option, but I've yet to find them in Australia.

SAE's are your best bet.

Regards,
Golden