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Algae Eating fish for a Planted Tank
Any aquarium where conditions are optimized for growing plants will always have some
algae. Some of the algae (like on the glass) will need to be occasionally cleaned
off by the aquarist. But there are a variety of fish and invertibrates that can be
added to a planted tank to help clean up the algae.
- Otos : Dwarf Suckermouth catfish (Otocinclus sp.).
These catfish have long been kept in planted and non-planted
tanks for algae control. They are small suckermouth catfish that eat soft green
algae off tank surfaces and plant leaves. Most varieties stay small.
- SAEs: Siamese Algae eaters (Crossocheilus siamensis).
SAEs are a prized addition to many planted tanks. SAEs are one of the
only fish known to eat the dreaded Black Brush Algae. They resemble
Flying Foxes, and will grow quite large (5 inches) in time. These fish
are often mistaken for many similar looking fish. None of the look-alikes
share the SAEs algae-eating skills. See This article to help
identify a true SAE.
- Algae Eating Shrimp: Japonica Shrimp (Caridina japonica).
Algae Eating Shrimp are busy algae eaters. They are known to eat Black Brush algae, and
hair algae, in addtion to the normal soft green algae. They are an interesting and helpful addition
to a planted tank. They can become tasty and expensive treats for larger fish, so
be careful adding them to a tank with big eaters! They are mainly nocturnal, and hard to find,
so don't assume they have become snacks if you can't find them. I couldn't find any in
my 29g tank for months, but during a complete cleaning of the tank, I discovered all
5 that I started with, alive and well and working hard behind the scenes to keep the
tank clean.
- Bushy Nosed Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
The Bushy Nosed pleco is a variety of Pleco that stays small, and won't eat all your plants
like their larger cousins. Bushy Nosed plecos are suckermouth catfish. They will primarily
eat soft green algae off wood/rocks/plants/glass. They may damage or eat some softer
plant leaves.
- Twig Catfish(Farlowella sp.)
The Twig Catfish is a unique and interesting addition to any tank, but they will be most
comfortable and happy in a well planted tank with lots of plants and driftwood to
blend in with. A suckermouth catfish, they eat green algae off the glass, driftwood
and plant leaves.
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