Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, Fish, FISH!?

Tell me more about the tanks and the study.

Are they small, ten gallons?

Are you supposed to compare two types of algae eaters, or an algae eater with something else?

Will the tanks have heaters?

I'll assume they're ten gallons without heaters, since that's the cheapest way to do a study. Try to get gravel (and water, if possible) from a cycled tank or your test objects may die before you can get any results. If you don't have a heater, try to keep them in a warm room so they won't get too cool.

The best for the cold 10 gallons are a small hifin shark and a goldfish. Both are naturally cold water inhabitants. The hifin's get very large eventually, but are usually quite small when you purchase them. They aren't all that cheap though. They are in high demand when they are larger for people with ponds. They aren't actually a shark, they are a bottom feeding catfish. They don't even look like a shark, they just have a really really tall dorsal fin. If you get a goldfish, don't skimp and buy a feeder. It will likely die quickly. Get a Sarassa or Shubunkin. They will be easy to find a home for in a pond when you are done. Both of these species will readily eat algae.

If temperature is not a concern, you can still use a goldfish. Or you could find a Flagfish. They're native to Florida, and are known for eating algae off of plants while not damaging the plant. Test against a common algae eater, or plecostomus. There's also the ottocinclus, a tiny bottom feeder that is quite active.

There's many more you can consider, but these would be easy to see results with. Because I have to wonder, how on earth will you test the results? Very interesting project, but hard to verify results.

if your looking for algae eaters-you can look at plecos, plecos are what people call "sucker fish" it might take a few months before your tank can produce any algae for these fish to munch on--this can be accomplished by leaving the lights on day and night---but that cant be done with fish in the tank as this would stress them out---other algae eating critter would be snails---snails munch on algae and leftover food in the substrate----most community fish will coexist with both the snails and pleco--can look into guppies for beginners--good luck on your project!!

Fish fish fish fish fish dish?

well algae eaters are only otos. they are very small and needs lots of algae to survive. in theory plecos are supposed to eat algae but only when they are young, plus these guys grow up to 8+ inches, so you would need a 50 gallon tank to have suitable living environment for him. small tetras like neon tetras would be good tank mates for both. or guppies since they are very hardy, these guys are probably your best bet. get only males as the females would most likely already be pregnant and you will have lots of babies soon. make sure there is plently of algae growth before introducing any fish. and make sure tank sizes are suitable!

The Blob eats more algae than anyone! THE BLOB DOES! Friggin' GRRRRR!

Buy one of these

http://cdn-www.dailypuppy.com/media/dogs/anonymous...

they eat algea