Plecostomus fish

Question
I have two zebra danios in a ten gallon tank as well as a honey dwarf gourami.  I have been looking on the Internet for a plecostomus that won't outgrow my tank or act aggressive to my other fish.  I'm also going to be getting some more fish but first I want a fish that will eat the algae off of the walls of my tank as well as the gravel and I have heard that phlebotomizes are good for eating algae.  I tried to research them on the Internet but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for so I was wondering if you could recommend some types so that I can research a specific breed BEFORE I buy one.  Or if you know of another type of algae eating fish you could recommend to me.  I like to stick to the hardy fish because I just started my ten gallon aquarium a one and a half months ago.  I'm not a total beginner though because before I had a two gallon tank with a beta in it(several different ones actually) for the past five years.  I was also wondering when a female zebra danio lays the eggs after mating because a couple days ago my zebra danios seemed to be mating and from descriptions on the Internet I think I have a male and a female.  What a coincidence.
                                 -Courtney ^-^

Answer
Hi Courtney.

I have two zebra danios in a ten gallon tank as well as a honey dwarf gourami.  I have been looking on the Internet for a plecostomus that won't outgrow my tank or act aggressive to my other fish.  

<First of all, danios are really happiest in a group of 6 or more, so hopefully that is the "other fish" you are thinking of getting.  As far as Pleco's, I wouldn't be looking at them as most will get too big for a 10 gallon tank.  I would suggest looking at a Cory catfish  http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Corydoras.htm or Oto catfish  http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_otocinclus.htm .  They stay small and are excellent for eating algae.>

I'm also going to be getting some more fish but first I want a fish that will eat the algae off of the walls of my tank as well as the gravel and I have heard that phlebotomizes are good for eating algae.

<I think you mean a Plecostomus as opposed to a "phlebotomizes"....phlebotomy has to do with blood, so does phlebotomize ;o)  Unless, of course, you are looking for a blood sucking fish, in which case I cannot help because I know of none!! (Just joking with you, honest mistake!  It's a hard name to remember) ;o) You need to watch how many fish you put into a 10 gallon tank, as there is not much room for many fish.  I personally would get 4-5 more danios and 1 or 2 cory catfish or oto catfish, then you'll be at about your limit.>

I tried to research them on the Internet but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for so I was wondering if you could recommend some types so that I can research a specific breed BEFORE I buy one.  

<Very smart thinking.  Too many people go out and buy BEFORE finding out about them and run in to problems!>

Or if you know of another type of algae eating fish you could recommend to me.  I like to stick to the hardy fish because I just started my ten gallon aquarium a one and a half months ago.  I'm not a total beginner though because before I had a two gallon tank with a beta in it(several different ones actually) for the past five years.

<As I said, do some research on cory catfish and oto catfish, they stay small and do a great job!>

I was also wondering when a female zebra danio lays the eggs after mating because a couple days ago my zebra danios seemed to be mating and from descriptions on the Internet I think I have a male and a female.  What a coincidence.

<When they spawn, the male actually pushes the eggs out of the female onto something in the tank and then fertilizes them.  It's hard to breed danios/danios to breed in a tank with other fish.  Reason being, the danios will eat the eggs so will all the other fish in the tank.  You can do some research on breeding if you want to try to save the eggs, as there is a way to do it if interested.  It takes some effort and time though!>

<Good luck with everything, get back to me if I left anything out or if you have any additional questions!>

                                -Courtney ^-^