Scuds for Algae Control 1-8-25

[@bothetetrabreeder8734]

I have never seen those creatures called scuds in my tanks, I learned something new today.

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Bo: I continue to add them, to a tank, infested with diatom algae, in hopes they will consume it. Gammarus species are fun, to culture. They should make a terrific, live food, for characins, if you care to give them a try. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Hello E.J.! Scuds will eat most plants, but with fish in the tank, the fish keep them under control enough to minimize the harm to the plants. I've never seen them harm shrimp eggs . I have no idea about the shrimplets, but I do keep them together and I see lots of both. My favorite collecting method is to keep an open pore sponge in with them and pull it out every now and then to feed to my fish

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Eric: There are more than 100, known freshwater species of Gammarus. I suspect that I have Gammarus pulex. Various species differ, in behavior and a given species is likely to exhibit sundry behavior, under diverse conditions. I may try cherry shrimp, with my scuds and see how they do, together. I’ve seen videos, of collecting scuds, with a sponge filter. The sponge filter, in this tank has tinny pores. I am considering switching it out, for a sponge, with larger pores. Alternately, I may simply include such a sponge, without an air-line. Thank you, for your interest and assistance. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

[@FishmanEricRussell]

@@ejbrinegar That's all I do. I just cut a couple of pieces of large and open pore sponges and leave them in the tank

[@ejbrinegar]

Yes, the course sponge I added, last night, was previously in a hang-on-back filter. So, it should contain lots of detritus, which when re-hydrated, will attract scuds. Thank you, for your assistance.

[@joyoffishkeeping]

Hello EJ. they are loving the scuds. Have heard of them , not seen them. I though they smaller 👍 how long does it take to get to that sized?

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Jose: The lifespan of Gammarus species varies by species, but is generally less than two years. I’m not sure which species I have. Gammarus fasciatus is native, to Kentucky, where I live and looks very similar, to what I have. Gammarus fasciatus are sexually mature, within two months, depending on temperature. I keep mine, in an unheated tank and my house is about 68°F. I acquired scuds, from a pet store, of various sizes. I’m guessing that these reach full size, within three months. Thank you, for your interest and support. Sincerely, Brinegar

[@joyoffishkeeping]

@ thanks for the info, dont know anything about them

[@DiaryOfAnAmateurFishKeeper]

Do your endlers eat the scuds? Your scuds look big enough that the endlers may leave them alone.

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear DA: As with Daphnia magna, fully grown scuds are too large, for male Endler’s to swallow, whole. However, Endler’s and guppies continue to attack live food, until it comes apart. In the case of scuds, a fully-grown scud would likely escape predation, by Endler’s, as it is very fast and can reach cover, in the tank, before being devoured. But, true Siamese algae eaters, of this size, have no trouble swallowing adult scuds, whole. Culturing scuds is lots of fun. I highly recommend them. Thank you, for your, continued interest and support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

[@DiaryOfAnAmateurFishKeeper]

@ yeah i was thinking endlers and scuds aquarium would be great combo for a algae free tank while culturing more scuds for larger fish. Any way thanks for the informative vid.

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear DA: Currently, I’m infesting a tank, with scuds, which contains only plants. Hopefully, the population of scuds will increase, to the point, that they eradicate the diatom algae. At that time, I may introduce some fish. Perhaps enough scuds will avoid predation, to keep the algae down and also provide occasional snacks, for the fish. I believe it would be more difficult, to introduce scuds, to a tank, which already contains fish. I hope you obtain some, Gammarus species and share your experience, with them. Sincerely, Brinegar

[@GCaquatics]

oh wow i didnt know you used to use fake plants, how long ago has that been?

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Gabriel: About a decade ago, I discovered Pecktec and other, FishFam Channels, on KZbin. I realized that it is possible to keep live, aquatic plants. Then Father Fish showed me how to create a fertilized substrate. Gradually, I redid my tanks; getting rid of “Deep River” gravel; plastic hides; and, plastic plants. In retrospect, I wish I’d saved a lot of that stuff, as Charles still uses the like. In fact, he currently has fancy guppies, in a 3-gallon, plastic bow-front tank. I added Deep River Gravel, to hold some, plastic plants in place, so the fry will have some cover, yesterday. Charles has ordered more, fancy guppies. He has several such, small tanks, to house them. Two have fertilized substrates, so it may be possible to add live plants. However, those tanks have recurrent issues with algae. So, it might be best, just to use plastic plants, in them, as well. Thank you, for your, continued interest and support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

[@GCaquatics]

@ that is awesome, we are always learning.

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

scuds love hornwort, put some in the scud tank over night, first thing in morning take it out and put it in the tank with fish.

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Hairy Woodsman: I’ve tried to keep hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), several times, but it always expired. This is surprising, as it is reportedly a fast-growing, beginner plant. It will adapt to almost all, water parameter and tolerates a wide range of temperatures. Thank you, for the information. If I acquire more of it, I'll use it, to collect scuds. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

@@ejbrinegar so, i've bought hornwort a couple ties and had the same problem, but here in east Texas it is in all the lakes. so i collected some from a local lake and it grows like wild fire in my water. i have noticed it likes low PH better than high PH. maybe if you could find some in a lake near you it would do better. alternatively Java moss or christmas moss will work just as well/

[@ejbrinegar]

The water here in Kentucky is "liquid rock." Perhaps this is the reason my hornwort failed. Java moss is only doing well, in one of my tanks, so it is precious, to me. I do believe I'll try collecting scuds with a coarse sponge. I appreciate your assistance.

[@GCaquatics]

haha that would be cool if they just all went into the net for you :p

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Gabriel: This is an effective way, to catch about a dozen scuds, in around 12 hours. I added a coarse sponge, to the tank. Soon, I’ll discover if scuds inhabit it, which should make them easier to collect. Thank you, for your, continued support. Sincerely, Brinegar