Farlowella As An Algae Eater

[Corykeeper]

I have a planted tank that is full of green hair algae and I am curious as to whether a Farlowella will help fix it or will it do more damage than good? After it cleans up the tank I am putting it into a 29 gallon community tank with an angelfish and a few different species of catfish, and will he eat my Marimo ball?

 

[fluttermoth]

I wouldn't get a farlowella; they're a very difficult fish to keep.
 
A bristlenose would be better, if your tank's big enough, or nerite snails are very good algae eaters.

 

[DerpPH]

They are close relatives of otocinclus so yes! But are very sensetive to deteriorating water.

 

[fluttermoth]

They're also very difficult to wean onto prepared foods.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

While I agree Farlos are very difficult to raise to adulthood, I had little problem getting them to take Hikari algae wafers at a very young age.

 

[SO19Firearms]

If it's a planted tank (you mention a moss ball) I'd be more inclined to up your CO2/lower your light and dose a full compliment of nutrients to eat the algae rather than introduce livestock.
Unless it was planned o.c.