Algae Eaters

[Monty2451]

I was just wondering what are some good algae eating fish for tanks other than the standard pleco. Most people don't keep tanks that are actually big enough for most plecos, and they soon out grow the tank they were bought for. So what can be kept instead? I know Otos are good, but they tend to be frail and die quickly. and Chinese Algae Eaters become both aggressive and can develope a taste for the slime coat of other fish as they get older. Siamese Algae Eaters are good, but hard to come by; especially because a lot of LFS's mislabel Chinese Algae Eaters as being Siamese. I would appreciate any input for all freshwater tanks, both cold water and tropical, and invertebrates as well as fish that are good for this. I'm not really looking for bottom cleaners, as I know snails, shrimp, loaches, corys and a variety of cats are good for this, but strictly algae eaters, or ones that do both. Thanks!

 

[Gonze]

You have covered practically every algae eater known to man in that paragraph theres not much else we can help you with besides recomending which fish is best. I'd go for the oto and SEA or flying fox they tend to be the best when it comes to behavior and cleaing up algae.

 

[gourami_fan]

Well I think you ruled out all of the most common algae eaters there is possible. You could always go for a bristle nose pleco since it doesn't grow too big. Thats all I can think of since most of them you already mentioned.

 

[OldMan47]

If the other fish in the tank are not too big, endlres can be very nice algae eaters. They don't look it but are voracious algae eaters for the stringy, fuzzy kinds of algae. They do not eat BGA or some of the harder types. They also make an attractive addition to any tank. Unfortunately they are usually not available locally but are easy to find on line at places like aquabid. If you go there look for sales by swampriveraquatics or tampafishman, they are both well known and provide quality fish. Got my starter group from tampafishman and have never regretted it, he is great.

 

[Monty2451]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the tips.

 

[loachman]

The american flag fish is typically overlooked but is supposed to be a good eater of all sorts of algae.

 

[waterdrop]

You have covered practically every algae eater known to man in that paragraph theres not much else we can help you with besides recomending which fish is best. I'd go for the oto and SEA or flying fox they tend to be the best when it comes to behavior and cleaing up algae.

(I guess we should call that a Gonzo chuckle?) BTW, What are "SEA"s and "flying fox"s?

 

[gourami_fan]

Its actually a typo, supposed to be SAE which stands for siamese algae eater and a flying fox is a fish that is very similar in appearance to the siamese algae eater.