is Yamato shrimp really effective algae remover ?

[dx]

after keeping planted tank for a while, I start to wonder if Yamato shrimp really necessary and help in removing / eating algae. The reasons for me to wonder are:
1) algae is best control by nutrient balance
2) i don't see Yamato eating tough algae like BBA
3) i don't see Yamato eating spotted algae on leaves
4) to prevent Yamato eating young leaves, i have to add enough fish food but still they still keep finding food on gravel, rolling and rolling those gravels. Do they like to pull out Glosso ?

So now I am thinking of getting rid of Yamato. Any comments please. Is Yamato really necessary ?

By the way, my Glosso keep floating. Is it done by Yamato or SAE that do the digging ?

[lorba]

I use yamato mainly for picking up left over food which is inaccessible to fishes and cories. They do clean up a bit here and there, but as you mentioned, balance control is a better way for algae prevention.

If your glosso is established, the yamato should be able to uproot them.

[juggler]

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On 10/1/2003 10:56:36 AM

after keeping planted tank for a while, I start to wonder if Yamato shrimp really necessary and help in removing / eating algae. The reasons for me to wonder are:
1) algae is best control by nutrient balance
2) i don't see Yamato eating tough algae like BBA
3) i don't see Yamato eating spotted algae on leaves
4) to prevent Yamato eating young leaves, i have to add enough fish food but still they still keep finding food on gravel, rolling and rolling those gravels. Do they like to pull out Glosso ?

So now I am thinking of getting rid of Yamato. Any comments please. Is Yamato really necessary ?

By the way, my Glosso keep floating. Is it done by Yamato or SAE that do the digging ?
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Well, if you can keep the nutrients in balance and control, then good for you. No need too many types of algae eaters.
I found that my Yamatos do not seem to work in one of my tanks. They just hide in one corner. Temperature (25C) too low?
But Yamatos can really help to get rid of the Thread Algae if it occurs. But since you already have them, just keep them around to do a little area cleaning.

[Georgeer]

Well, my Yamato are quite hardworking and maybe I am lucky so far that I had not have any BBA or tough algae.

But if you are looking for algae control team, you can try Otos as well. These little catfish are terrific algae cleaners.

[dx]

yeah i forgot Yamato can eat those left over food which is inaccessible to other fish. That is the advantage.
I would say there is no perfect algae eater or remover. Oto is hardworking that's true.
I think i got to work harder for the Glosso to establish good rooting so won't be worry about Yamato in future.

[PeterGwee]

Yamatoes are the most hardworking among all the shrimps...unless you got those lazy in nature...LOL. [] Its always good to have an algae crew for backup in case you slack on the CO2, nutrients or water changes and algae comes in.

I don't see how glosso can float unless in the initial stages of planting and constant digging by fishes such as cory cats. Work on the light, CO2, N, K, GH(Ca/Mg), traces and finally P should give you good results.

[Plantbie]

What curious me is , if Malayan Shrimp can pick up left over food hide under my thick lawn of glosso, why should i need Yamato?

What i heard is that Yamato and Malayan shrimp cleans different alage?

IS this true?

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On 10/1/2003 11:40:05 AM

yeah i forgot Yamato can eat those left over food which is inaccessible to other fish. That is the advantage.
I would say there is no perfect algae eater or remover. Oto is hardworking that's true.
I think i got to work harder for the Glosso to establish good rooting so won't be worry about Yamato in future.
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[sherchoo]

Shrimps generally do help in clearing fine thread like algae. It would be good if you have some of these critters in your tank. If you have do not wish to have any of them in your tank, you don't have to.

My tank was shrimp free for 4 months now. Algae are not a problem to me. So I don't really need them. But personally, I wuold like to see some shrimps in my tank to give it more variance in the tank inhabitants, but due to my frequent overseas trips..... the shrimps are put on hold.