I can't say I've ever heard of that problem, but that doesn't mean it's not common. I have a CAE and he's certainly not starving, nor is he a picky eater. He does spend a fair bit of time cleaning up around the tank, and although I can't say there's any visible algae, I'm sure he's still finding some. I usually drop a couple of 'algae discs' and a few shrimp pellets in there in the evening when I feed the tank. I know that there are quite a few fish in the community who enjoy nibbling at the algae wafers, but I presume he eats some, too. There are six cories in that tank, as well. I really don't know who eats what after lights out, but there's never a trace of food left in the mornings. I have a 15 gallon tank almost ready for the CAE to take over as his new bachelor pad, so I guess I'll find out exactly what he's been eating once he's the only fish in a tank!
Edit - I have a pleco in another tank...there are yo yo and skunk loaches in that his tank, too. They also get algae discs and shrimp pellets. I should also add that the CAE, as with all my fish, also gets foods like bloodworm, brine shrimp, and loads of fresh veggies. I have otos in my guppy tank, and they get a piece of an algae wafer or a couple of shrimp pellets. They seem to eat both.
