About Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum the Otocinclus
Pictures of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
To Be Added
Family Fish #3 & 4
Common Name:
OtocinclusWhy Did We Name them Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?
To Be Added
Coloring & Markings
To Be AddedGender: ??
Adoption Date: May 2013
Adopted With
Mr. Sneakers the Molly
Purchased From
PetSmart
Information from PetSmart.com on 6/15/13
- Diet: Algae Wafers, Fresh Vegetables
- Maximum size: 2"
- Water temperature: 72-79° F
- Swimming level: Bottom
- Experience level: Intermediate
- Tank Setup: 10+ gallons, lightly planted
Aptly named, algae eaters are often placed in large aquariums to help keep algae from overgrowing. These bottom-swimming fish feed on green algae and vegetable matter, moving along the surfaces of your aquarium scraping green algae with their suckermouths. They also eat all kinds of commercial flake and pellet foods, but must get sufficient algae and vegetable matter, such as fresh zucchini, romaine lettuce, spinach or spirulina pellets.
You will see your algae eater swimming at the bottom of your aquarium. They will also hang from plants and the aquarium walls, using their suckermouths for attachment. To create a beautiful aquarium environment, be sure to add some middle and top swimmers as well. Ask a PetSmart associate to help you choose.
Things to remember
Frequent feedings
For optimum health, feed your algae eaters as much food as they will consume in 1-3 minutes, twice a day. You can alternate between regular staple diet feedings and 2-4 meals per week of a vegetable treat or specialty food. Remove uneaten fresh vegetables after four hours.
Adding fish
Whether you're just starting your aquarium or introducing new fish into your tank, don't forget to add only 1-3 at a time.
Unique gill opening
Algae eaters have a special opening on their gills so they can breathe without loosening their grip on a rock or other surface.
Aquarium
Minimum aquarium size should be 10 gallons or larger. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water for every one inch of full-grown fish.
Décor
Decorate their aquarium with hiding places such as roots, driftwood and rockwork. Also include plants to provide grazing surfaces.
Fish compatibility
Algae eaters should not be kept by beginners or in a community aquarium with delicate fish. As adults, they can be aggressive to other tankmates and should be housed with large, tough fish or as a single species in the aquarium.
