compatible sucker fish for ranchu goldfish

Question
QUESTION: Hi Rachel,

recently got a tank (6 feet) with 9 ranchu goldfish. I need to put some sucker fish in as there is a lot of algae being produced and cleaning in a huge task. can you please recommend which type would be suitable for my fish?

thank you



ANSWER: I would be glad to assist you. Any large algae eaters (scientific name pleco) would work great. If your goldfish are large just make sure the algae eaters are also large so the goldfish do not mistake the little cleaners for food. You can also get some snails, they work well with goldfish and algae eaters. The algae eaters come in a wide variety: from albino to spotted to solid colors (brown, black, green, etc). Also, one other idea to help with your algae is to get some Algae Gone treatment. Just make sure it says say for all fish and if you have any live plants make sure it is safe for them. This treatment helps control the algae but does not completely erase it so the algae eaters and/or snail will have food. Once you get your cleaners be sure to not get them any special food like pellets or algae disks. Some people will tell you that you will need these extra foods but I have never used them and have had a lot of cleaners. The algae will feed them and the leftover flake food will sink to the bottom where they will get it. Finally, try feeding your goldfish and the new cleaners romane lettuce. They will love it! I feed my and they go crazy and it is a blast to watch, plus very good for them. Just get a vegetable clip and clip some big leaves of romaine lettuce and sink it on the glass, they will eventually find it and love it. I hope this helps. Let me know if you need more help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Rachel, thank you for your help. i will be sure to try the romane lettuce out. i was advised to not use any chemicals in the tank as it is meant to be an "ecosystem tank" that does not require any water change.

also, with the algae eaters, a friend of mine placed some (i'm sorry i dont know the specific name) and they actually ended up attacking the goldfish and killing 4 of them in 1 night. They were little things no more than 1 1/2 inches and killed all the bigger goldfish (5 to 6 inches)

I am really nervous about what i put in so i guess i will have to go with the snails, unless you are quite certain that a bigger pleco will not cause any trouble in the tank.

please advise

thank you :)

Answer
I understand not wanting to add chemicals to your tank. It would be best if you could remedy the algae without chemicals but there is one out there in the event you needed it. Also, I would be weary of the no water changes, I have never heard of a freshwater tank which never requires water changes. I would question ths theory. Now, it is possible to only change a fraction of the water every few months or so, but this is only with a mature tank, one established for a while. As for the algae eaters, I would ask your friend the name of the fish who did this. There is a difference between a sucker fish, chinese alage eater, and basic plecos. The basic plecos, also called algae eaters, are very docile fish and I have never had a problem with them. I would get one smaller than your goldfish but not too small. When I said bigger, I did not mean bigger than the goldfish but rather big enough to not be mistaken for food. Avoid chinese algae eaters, any sucker fish, and anything other than a pleco or algae eater. The only problem I have had with algae eaters, or plecos, is they like to eat fish eggs, but that is not aggression just hunger and its not killing a living fish. I would suspect your friend did not have a pleco and maybe the fish had diseases or parasites. I have never had a problem with algae eaters, or plecos, and I have had them ever since I have started keeping fish. The only thing I have experienced with plecos is other fish killing them, not the plecos killing other fish. I still stand by the advice. Just make sure you get a pleco, aka algae eater. They are the most common algae eaters and you should have no problem getting one from your local store. There are albino plecos, spotted plecos, rubbernose plecos, and so on. Get one smaller than your goldfish but not too small. I hope this has clarified my suggestions. Feel free to continue to ask my any of your questions or give me your concerns. I hope this helps.