"Algae Eaters" and What They're Good For (and Not Good For!)
11 years ago
I know the myths shrouding algae eating fish, whether it be the "algae eater" (more aptly named the chinese sucking loach) plecos, or otherwise.
Some people call these fish "cleaners," but they are often the messiest fish in the tank.
Contrary to popular belief, these fish do not eat fish poo, they do not cut back on your tank maintenance, and they do need to be fed their own diet.
This journal is to note these algae eating fish, and what they're good for, and why you might not want them.
Plecostomus: These fish are the classic "cleaners" of the hobby. What people don't realize is that there is over 200 species of plecostomus. Most of these species get very large, some of which are unsuitable for tanks much smaller than 8 feet long, while others get around 2-6 inches. Some are common as can be, some are rare and expensive, Some species, like the Zebra pleco, can run you between 300 and 600 dollars!
-What they're good for: They do tend to be good algae cleaners at a young age, but most of them, especially the males, will eventually learn they can get food more easily by waiting under a rock for flakes or pellets to hit the bottom.
What plecostomus are best at, though, are turning your substrate into fish poop. I have to vacuum my substrate every morning to get the fish poo left over from my bristlenose plecostomus off the ground.
What they're not good for: These fish, especially once mature, are not very interesting, they are not an active or interestin addition to your freshwater aquarium. They will not help you clean your tank, in theory. A tank with a plecostomus will just be exchanging the process of cleaning algae with the process of vacuuming up strings of pleco waste all the time. While some plecostomus are planted tank friendly, bare in mind that most species are large and clumsy, and may rasp at your leaves leaving them torn up, or just downright uproot them all the time. Some pleco's also need a special diet, whether a lot of veggies and no protein, driftwood, or otherwise. Be sure to research the pleco you look at before buying it.
Otocinclus: another fish that's making its way into the hobby. These are small, charming catfish which work well in almost any tank.
-What they're good for: These guys are actually really good algae cleaners. They're not all too messy in comparison to other species. One thing to keep in mind, though is that otocinclus are very social with one another, and do best in groups of at least 5.
-What they're not good for: These fish are relatively fragile, and do not do well in new aquariums. They should also get a diet of fresh veggies now and then. They will not work as a solo fish, so you may need to invest tank space into having a group. Due to their small size, they are not a welcome edition to a tank with large or predatory fish, I've seen fish as small as golden wonder killi's have a bite at them in the past.
Chinese Algae Eater/Chinese Sucking Loach: These fish are charming and active at a young age, and very cheap as well, often below 2 dollars a piece.
-What they're good for: Well, when they're young, they eat algae. But long term, they're best at being overly territorial and aggressive, becoming a more carnivorous species, and sucking the slime coat and scales off of the flanks of fish they can catch.
-What they're not good for: They're definitely not good for tanks with a lot of slow moving community fish. They'll leave nasty circular wounds on your fish, often causing infections. Overall these are one of the fishes that don't belong in the aquarium hobby. While they're charming and active while young, they turn into nasty 1 foot monsters as they mature.
These are the most common species, I may add less common ones in the future if needed.
Here's one thing to remember; the best algae cleaner is going to be you. It does not take long to scrub the tank clean of algae, it only takes me a minute or two to clean it off with a course sponge. While it's not fun to get wet to some people, getting wet is what this hobby is all about. There is no such thing as a self sustaining aquarium.
There are plenty of other ways to prevent algae from growing in the tank in the first place, but we can cover that in the future
Happy fishkeeping
-Onidrase
Some people call these fish "cleaners," but they are often the messiest fish in the tank.
Contrary to popular belief, these fish do not eat fish poo, they do not cut back on your tank maintenance, and they do need to be fed their own diet.
This journal is to note these algae eating fish, and what they're good for, and why you might not want them.
Plecostomus: These fish are the classic "cleaners" of the hobby. What people don't realize is that there is over 200 species of plecostomus. Most of these species get very large, some of which are unsuitable for tanks much smaller than 8 feet long, while others get around 2-6 inches. Some are common as can be, some are rare and expensive, Some species, like the Zebra pleco, can run you between 300 and 600 dollars!
-What they're good for: They do tend to be good algae cleaners at a young age, but most of them, especially the males, will eventually learn they can get food more easily by waiting under a rock for flakes or pellets to hit the bottom.
What plecostomus are best at, though, are turning your substrate into fish poop. I have to vacuum my substrate every morning to get the fish poo left over from my bristlenose plecostomus off the ground.
What they're not good for: These fish, especially once mature, are not very interesting, they are not an active or interestin addition to your freshwater aquarium. They will not help you clean your tank, in theory. A tank with a plecostomus will just be exchanging the process of cleaning algae with the process of vacuuming up strings of pleco waste all the time. While some plecostomus are planted tank friendly, bare in mind that most species are large and clumsy, and may rasp at your leaves leaving them torn up, or just downright uproot them all the time. Some pleco's also need a special diet, whether a lot of veggies and no protein, driftwood, or otherwise. Be sure to research the pleco you look at before buying it.
Otocinclus: another fish that's making its way into the hobby. These are small, charming catfish which work well in almost any tank.
-What they're good for: These guys are actually really good algae cleaners. They're not all too messy in comparison to other species. One thing to keep in mind, though is that otocinclus are very social with one another, and do best in groups of at least 5.
-What they're not good for: These fish are relatively fragile, and do not do well in new aquariums. They should also get a diet of fresh veggies now and then. They will not work as a solo fish, so you may need to invest tank space into having a group. Due to their small size, they are not a welcome edition to a tank with large or predatory fish, I've seen fish as small as golden wonder killi's have a bite at them in the past.
Chinese Algae Eater/Chinese Sucking Loach: These fish are charming and active at a young age, and very cheap as well, often below 2 dollars a piece.
-What they're good for: Well, when they're young, they eat algae. But long term, they're best at being overly territorial and aggressive, becoming a more carnivorous species, and sucking the slime coat and scales off of the flanks of fish they can catch.
-What they're not good for: They're definitely not good for tanks with a lot of slow moving community fish. They'll leave nasty circular wounds on your fish, often causing infections. Overall these are one of the fishes that don't belong in the aquarium hobby. While they're charming and active while young, they turn into nasty 1 foot monsters as they mature.
These are the most common species, I may add less common ones in the future if needed.
Here's one thing to remember; the best algae cleaner is going to be you. It does not take long to scrub the tank clean of algae, it only takes me a minute or two to clean it off with a course sponge. While it's not fun to get wet to some people, getting wet is what this hobby is all about. There is no such thing as a self sustaining aquarium.
There are plenty of other ways to prevent algae from growing in the tank in the first place, but we can cover that in the future
Happy fishkeeping
-Onidrase
"What plecostomus are best at, though, are turning your substrate into fish poop."
I love this. So true. XD
He also has a hobo beard.
I've noticed that I tend to like striped fish, because I also like danios, tiger barbs and cory cats, though I adore my hi-fin spotted pleco. :3
WARNING!!!!!!!!!!
Corydoras Catfish do NOT, I repeat NOT eat algae! They are bottom feeders and eat left over food that drifts down. They loooove snuffling through sand looking for yummy things to eat and are happiest in groups of 5 or more though they will make do in groups of 3. Different species of Cory cats will sometimes school together but not usually.
Also those big old Mystery Snails you see everywhere do NOT eat algae as well! They are bottom feeders like cory cats and will munch on any live plants you have in the tank. They loooove cucumber and other bits of veggies but not algae sadly.
If you want some alage eating snails I highly suggest those small pointed snails every pet shop seems to have a million of. If you keep their numbers in check (picking them out, fish that eat them, assassin snails) they will do a wonderful job as well as eat only decaying plant matter, keeping planted tanks nice and healthy. They are called Malaysian Trumpet Snails and will also burrow in sand if you have it and keep it healthy. For a "pest" they are amazingly useful! Nerite Snails also love munching on algae and are bigger and much prettier to look at in my opinion. More and more pet stores are starting to carry them.
Japonica Shrimp or Algae Eater Shrimp are decent sized shrimp that will also go to town on algae. I've had several in my 55 since I first stocked it and they make very cool additions to a peaceful tank. If memory serves me correct Ghost Shrimp love algae too and will help out. They also make lovely snacks for fish big enough to fit them in their mouths and at about $0.10-0.30 a pop won't break your bank.
Btw glad you recommend a school to be at least 5~ I hate seeing the jack asses who assume "Oh I'll just get 3..." Then two die and there left with one then focus on filling in with another species.
Also I got no clue about some schooling fish but I always like to give them a school of 6+ Specially if I like what species the fish is like say with the glow light tetra's I owned. I loved them! So I got a few more so there numbers would be 10, Then with my pygmy corydora I had six but was like "I really like these little guys" So added a few more and they are freaking so cute.