Algae eaters

[Pysgodyn]

I'm a bit confused by jargon!

I'm relatively new to this, and am currently (so far, successfully) stocking a 125 litre tank. Next, I was planning on some algae eaters (unless someone has a reason for me not to!). I'm aware that there are MANY different types of algae eaters out there...My questions are...

a) is it only catfishes that are algae eaters?
B) are all catfishes algae eaters?

I reckon, if I had a straight answer to these questions, I could go ahead and read the pinned 'articles' in the "Fish Index", and not bother you anymore!! lol

If it's not quite that straight forward, I'd appreciate a cuddle and a guiding hand!

Thanks...or maybe I should say, Tanks!!

 

[jflowers]

a) is it only catfishes that are algae eaters?
B) are all catfishes algae eaters?

a) No
B) No

Algae eaters don't even need to be fish

Lots of catfish are not algae eaters at all, some are highly predatory and will eat anything that will fit in thier mouth. Look at the tiger shovel nose and red tailed catfish for the extreames of this.

Lots of fish will eat algae to some degree, Bristle nose plecs and Oto's are noted for it, but others will graze on it at times.

Jon

 

[Pysgodyn]

D'oh. I had an inclin that it wouldn't be quite that easy! Is there any one of them (at-the-bottom-of-the-tank-things-with-a-sucky-mouth-thing) you'd recommend more for a community tank than others? Any I should avoid?

 

[dwarfgourami]

Chinese algae eaters are not catfish (more related to the loaches I think). And they don't eat a lot of algae, either, at least not after they are grown up. Oh, and you don't want them in your community tank (they'll eat your other fish).

 

[jflowers]

D'oh. I had an inclin that it wouldn't be quite that easy! Is there any one of them (at-the-bottom-of-the-tank-things-with-a-sucky-mouth-thing) you'd recommend more for a community tank than others? Any I should avoid?

Chinese algae eaters are not catfish (more related to the loaches I think).

Not loaches either.

Avoid chinese algae eaters, they are more like chinese fish scale eaters as they mature and get quite big, also avoid golden algae eaters, they are the same species, only albino's. Bristle nose plecs and Otos are the ones to look at, though oto's prefer a mature tank (established for 6 months or more) and BN's are plecs and get quite big as well, and need more than algae to get a complete diet when older, regular cucumber or green leaved salad stuffs like spinach.

Jon

 

[Joviella]

Hi, It really depends on which type of algea you need eaten......as said,chinese "sucking loaches" are sold on the basis that they eat algea,but in my experience<contrary to popular belief,they don't "suck fish"....although I've read it has been known,
If you have hair algea.....true siamese flying foxes are the best at that.
If you are unsure about which algea you have ehsa algea treatment really works.....regardless of type and it causes no fish damage.

 

[dwarfgourami]

in my experience Chinese algae eaters do suck fish!

 

[Pysgodyn]

Not sure I like the sound of that!! Evil evil...

 

[Torrean]

what about snails. They eat algae don't they.

 

[rdd1952]

I was fortunate enough to find some true siamese algae eaters for my 75 gallon and they are great. I would definitely recommend them over otos. I have had otos (still have 2) but they just don't seem to get the job done. Also, they seem to die too easily. I have lost 3 since I got my first ones in January. Also, amano shrimp are good for cleaning up algae and don't create much of a bio load so you could probably add 4 or 5 and it wouldn't really impact your stocking level.

I second the thoughts on chinese algae eaters. Stay away from them. And if you decide to try to find the SAE, make sure you find the real thing (stripe down side extends into and to end of tail) and not flying foxes (Stripe down side and along top of back) or false SAE (stripe down side stops at tail). Someone correct me if I have the FF and False SAE backwards but I do know that on the true SAE the stripes goes into the tail.

 

[sylvia]

Non-catfish algae eaters, these are cyprinids (related to danios, barbs etc): http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/
Another non-catfish algae eater is the american-flag fish which is a killifish.

And as it's been pointed out that chinese algae eaters/sucking loaches don't eat much algae and aren't loaches or catfish, I'd like to add that they aren't chinese either (Oh but they do suck fish... the only not-so-misleading part of their name.... later they go for the eyes and eventualy they eat the fish as they get to 10".)

 

[silvershark]

Non-catfish algae eaters, these are cyprinids (related to danios, barbs etc): http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/
Another non-catfish algae eater is the american-flag fish which is a killifish.

And as it's been pointed out that chinese algae eaters/sucking loaches don't eat much algae and aren't loaches or catfish, I'd like to add that they aren't chinese either (Oh but they do suck fish... the only not-so-misleading part of their name.... later they go for the eyes and eventualy they eat the fish as they get to 10".)

WHAT?!?! mine were only 3-4 inches when i caught one eating an angel alive. the poor thing looked in a lot of distress, AND lost both eyes. they will also attack each other...

 

[ogh1156]

I use 4 golden mystery snails to clear the algae in my 55 gal tank. If you dont want too many just scoop up the egg clusters they lay & toss them in the rubbish.

 

[Iron Man]

If you're looking for glass/substrate/ornament cleaning I HIGHLY recommend apple snails. They are 24/7 lawnmowers and don't make near as much poop as any pleco (fish at the bottom with the suckermouth thingy).

I just recently discovered American Flag Fish for hair algae. Also mollies will graze on algae too.

 

[zephyr]

what about cleaning brown algae off substrate(gravel), plants and glass?
which would b best prefered? SAE, BN pleco (brittlenose), or oto?