couple of questions in regards of fishs

Question
Hi Karen,

I want to start by saying that Im not english so sorry for my poor writing.  First of all Im going to explain what kind of aquarium I have.  It's a 50 gallons tank and I have some Blood perrat (2), Severum (2), pleco (2), silver dollors (4) and a new Jack Dewsey and also a new Kenyi african cichlid.  I never had any problem with this tank and still have none.  I was wondering if my new Kenyi will be ok since it's the first African in my tank.  Can American and African fish get along?  I know it's bether to keep them apart but can he still get along?

My second and last question is what king of algea eater would be good with my cichlid fishs?  I often have some green algea...so I don't think my plecos are to good on that sort.  I like the Corydoras but I don't think that they will be good in my tank.

Thank you very much in advance!
Marcel

Answer
Hello Marcel!!

First of all, I am not bothered at all by your english vocabulary... I am here to help aquarists with any problem they may have, never would I complain about somebody's spelling! I am here to do my very best in giving advice! Don't worry! I don't mind at all! ;)

~African Kenyi with Americans?~
Well, even though it is never recommended that you mix africans with somewhat more peaceful americans, you might have an exception. This is going to sort of be a gamble. There is really no telling what might happen with the african. I think he MIGHT do fine in there. His tankmates are all pretty hardy fish in that they won't cower in the corner at a occasional nip. Africans are known for being very nippy little things, and there still is a possibility that he may bully some of the fish. This may not be so much if he is smaller than the other fish in the aquarium another plus is living in a 50 gallon tank. A lot of fish aggression problems have to do with not a big enough tank and not enough space to plan a territory, your 50 gallon should be perfect in that matter.

So my conclusion to this is, simply keep a good watch on him. I highly doubt you would ever have to remove him from the aquarium....With all that space and hardy tankmates, he might live just fine. But beware, African Kenyis are beautiful, but they are considered Aggressive and need many hiding places in the form of mainly rocks to help these territorial fish feel like they have their own little place. I hope he does get along with everybody anyway! :)

~Next question- Best Algae eater for Cichlid tanks?~
Well, really plecostomus catfish or simply Plecos are usually the ones considered to be best for cichlid tanks. Since they are quiet and pretty tough they usually do well with them. The large sizes are a concern, I have seen some common Plecos in petstores at over a foot long or more! Must have very large tanks to commit to these tank busters. Another alternative might be Bristle-nose plecos. They grow to about 5-8 inches or so and clean algae about the same. One concern is cichlids might nip the bristles off the male pleco. I love Corydoras catfish but they are not what you are looking for in a fish that cleans algae a lot. They do little if most of the time nothing to algae growing on the sides. They are mainly little bottom feeders that poke around the gravel for food and leftovers.

My best advice is to keep an Pleco. Try a bristle nose or a common pleco as long as the tank is large enough. Plecos are known for eating algae very well. Another option is to simply use an algae scrubber to scrub the algae spots off whenever you do a water change (which should be once or twice per week) Green algae really isn't that harmful, most cichlids will nibble on it for some extra green matter in their diet. Or you can reduce the amount of light and do extra water changes to eliminate it.

I hope I was of some help! Feel absolutely free to ask me anymore questions you may have! I am more than happy to help you out all I can!

Wishing the very best to you and your fish!

Take care,
Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~