Algae Eater - American-Flag Fish

American Flagfish

Size: up to 2.0 inches
pH: Slightly alkaline 7.1 up okay, (our waters range from 6.5 and up to 8.0 and they are fine here.)
Temp: 21C or 70F, or higher for spawning.   Our water temps here vary from 50 to 98 and these do well
Origin: Peninsular Florida north to St. Johns and Ochlockonee River drainages
Food: Green Hair or Filamentous Algae, Some black and brown algae. See description below for more info. Supplement with New Life Spectrum "Community Formula" found at Fish Foods

Our company is one of the largest growers and suppliers of this magnificent algae eating fish in the U.S. Flagfish are ideal for consuming Brown, Black Beard Algae, Green Thread Algae, Hair/String Algae, and Blanketweed. Good with most fish except bettas or small frilly-finned fish as they will pick on them. They will do great with larger-sized fish, and other fish of same size. They are not interested in eating snails, but they will eat small shrimp. We have heard numerous stories from customers of Flagfish being territorial in small aquariums but not in ponds. In larger groups (like we have them here) we have never seen this behavior. Basically, if you have a horrific algae outbreak and you don't have small fish or shrimp, these will come in and fix the problem, fast. Ideal for any sized pond or lake with a hair algae problem.

Rule of thumb stocking: About 1 or 2 Flagfish per 5 to 10 gallons of aquarium water. or 2 flag fish per sq. foot of surface pond area.

Pictured Left: American-FlagFish juvenile.
Pictured Below: American Flagfish Adult

All of our algae Eating "Janitors" combined together will combat any and all algae! These shy little fellas like to hide in the plants, and are not a nuisance. They are actually quite calm, and rest on the bottom of the aquarium or will stay near the sides of a pond where the blanketweed grows. We have really enjoyed keeping and selling them. Fast though! We have a real tough time catching 'em!

We have heard from many different people that they have added Flags to African, Asian, South American, and even Discus type tanks with no reported problems of compatibility.  Try a few with your next order.  We'll always try to get you a mixture of sexes (males + females), not guaranteed though, but there's no need to request it.  Males are in abundance so you're sure to get them, and consider yourself lucky to get a female!  Males are sold faster in a IPS (Independent Pet Stores) due to the colored flag pattern, females are not as pretty but have some color, and probably wouldn't sell as well in a pet store environment.  A true hobbyist will appreciate both sexes.  If you're getting them for the true algae eating purpose, then who cares what they look like!  :-)