sucker fish / algae

Question
Hello Tom,

I have several feeder fish in a 20 gallon tank.  I think I've fed them too much and there are a lot of 'dung' at the bottom of the tank, and the whole tank is very 'slimy' as well.  My filter is not really helping...  I just wondered if there is any kind of fish that eats those 'dung'?  Are those 'slimy' thing algae? I always turn on the tank light, is this the reason why the tank becomes 'slimy"? Will a cory/plec help? Please kindly let me know.

Thank you very much & have a wonderful day.

Sylvie

Answer
Hi Sylvie,

The tank is taking on a slimy appearance due to algae. Try limiting the amount of time the light is left on to 8 hours a day maximum. Also, keep the tank out of the way of direct sunlight and test the phosphate and nitrate levels.

A corydoras will help clear uneaten food at the bottom of the tank, whilst a plec (I'd recommend a Bristlenose) will clear uneaten food and keep algae levels down.

Good Luck

Tom