Flagfish

[BrianK]

Just wanted to share in case anyone is struggling with hair algae like I was. My snails don't touch it, my pleco doesn't touch it, amano shrimp got eaten by my fish. I did keep it somewhat under control with Algaefix but I really don't like using that. Anyway, about a week ago I put in a few flagfish. In that first week almost all the string algae is gone! These guys are voracious algae eaters. The only downsides so far is one of them is a little bit nippy although so far not excessively and I appear to have gotten 3 females because they are pretty plain looking with very little "flagginess".

 

[Innesfan]

There are several species that have 'flag' in their common names but given the fondness for algae demonstrated by your fish I assume they are Jordanella floridae. Yes, the females are less colorful and the bright flag-like stripes are found on males only. Females also have a black blotch on the dorsal fin, absent in males. Is the nippiness confined to each other or does it extend to other tank mates as well? Adding a male might help. And given their persistence it is recommended that there be at least two females per male, so that would work out well for you.

 

[BrianK]

Yes, Florida flagfish. I would not mind getting another but I have no way to guarantee getting a male. I only have big box stores near me and neither have flagfish. I had to mail order these. Mostly just one is nippy and not excessively so
and yes, nips at my Boesemani rainbow fish as well.