Tropical Fish Forums

[FishDavis]

I have 3 3 inch goldfish in a 90 gallon tank with a synodontis eupterus (2in) and 2 Chinese Algae Eaters. My algae eaters attack my goldfish every time they go down to the gravel. They killed one my fourth goldfish and now there are missing pieces of my goldfishes fins. Are the algae eaters directly causing it or is it fin rot.

[StephenC]

It's hard to tell, but either way, you will need to separate your fish or the stress to the goldfish will eventually kill them if your algae eaters don't.
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I can swim with my fish

[Michael L.]

These things are not the best fish for algae eating. As they grow old, they stop eating algae and they want to eat meat. They are known for sucking the slime coat off of fish, thus killing them, as well as attack fish. They also grow to 11 inches, so they are quite capable of killing fish easily.

Also, they are not coldwater fish like goldfish, so they will have to be removed anyways. They will be suffering from the cold water of the goldfish tank.

I recommend that you return the CAEs. After that your tank should be a safe, happy place for your goldfish to live in.
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[FishDavis]

I going to send the algae eaters back to the pet store. Thanks for both of your help.

[FishDavis]

What is the easiest way to catch the CAEs because it's causing stress in my fish and myself.

[Michael L.]

Use two nets. One to chase it into the other net. It works pretty well in most cases.
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[Oscer]

I ended up useing 4 nets to catch my one, in only a 30g long. Very fast fish
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Years of fish keeping = Good advice