12 Best Freshwater Algae Eaters For Your Aquarium Fishkeeping Advice


Top 5 Algae Eating Fish for a Freshwater Aquarium PetHelpful

Otocinclus catfish are a schooling fish, so try to get at least three to six of the same species to help these shy creatures feel safe and comfortable. 6. Siamese Algae Eater. Crossocheilus oblongus (also known as SAE for short) is a 6-inch (15 cm) cleaner fish that is commonly used in larger aquariums.


12 Best Algae Eaters For Your Aquariums

Ramshorn Snails. If your aquarium is busy with plants, Ramshorn Snails would be the better choice for you. The majority of other algae eating snails will attack your plants but Ramshorn tend to leave them alone. If there is enough algae and dead plant matter to keep them busy, they will keep to themselves.


15 Best Algae Eaters for Freshwater Aquariums » Petsoid

One of the cruelest tricks of the aquarium trade was naming the Gyrinocheilus aymonieri as an algae eater. The technically accepted name is the Siamese Algae Eater, but most places I've seen call them the Chinese Algae Eater.. There is a similar fish, which is an amazing algae eater. The Flying Fox can be hard to tell apart from the CAE.


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Another great tropical algae eater is the Siamese Algae Eater—how could it not be with a name like that? This cigar-shaped fish sports a black horizontal stripe down the length of its body and readily consumes green, brown, red, white, and even the dreaded black fuzz algae. This all-purpose cleaner is a must-have for 55-gallon and larger tanks.


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The Algae eating shrimp is Caridina multidentata, also known as the Amano shrimp after Takashi Amano, the man who introduced its use and algae-eating benefits to the wider fishkeeping world. Amano shrimp are the perfect algae eater for nano tanks and planted tanks which don't contain large fish, working tirelessly, 24 hours per day.


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The Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) is a freshwater fish that belongs to the carp family, Cyprinidae.It is native to Southeast Asia, where it inhabits rivers, streams, and flooded forests. It is a popular aquarium fish because of its ability to consume various types of algae, especially the black beard algae that is difficult to remove.


12 Best Freshwater Algae Eaters For Your Aquarium Fishkeeping Advice

Contrary to popular belief, algae eating fish should not just be left to survive on algae, and will need a varied diet just as much as any other fish. Best algae-eating fish for a tropical tank Siamese Algae Eater Size: 6 inches Ideal pH: 6.5 - 8.0 Ideal water temperature: 24 - 26 °C Ideal tank size: Medium - Large (minimum of 30 gallons) Easy.


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Siamese Algae Eaters are a great tank-cleaning fish that work hard to keep things looking spotless. They consume all kinds of algae. The fish will even gobble up types of algae that other creatures ignore. Measuring about 6 inches in length when fully grown, Siamese Algae Eaters are a beautiful ornamental fish that also serves a practical purpose.


15 Best Algae Eaters for Freshwater Aquariums » Petsoid

1. Cherry Shrimp: Notorious Algae Eaters. Starting off with shrimp, cherry shrimp specifically are some of the most voracious algae eaters around. If you have a few of them in your aquarium, you might not even need any other type of algae control. They love to eat moss and algae, and they look pretty nice too.


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You will want to purchase two or three to keep them happy. They will eat the algae growth on the windows, but also on the leaves and other decorations that are in your aquarium. They are small and can get into smaller spaces that plecos can't normally get to. Scientific name: Otocinclus. Max size: 1.5 inches.


Otocinclus affinis, South America algae eater, freshwater tropical fish, siluriform

Bristlenose Plecos (Ancistrus spp.) Don't be intimidated by the name; Bristlenose Plecos are small but excellent algae eaters. They're like little vacuum cleaners for your tank's glass and rocks. Example: Even in a 20-gallon tank, just one Bristlenose Pleco can make a noticeable difference in maintaining a clean, algae-free environment.


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3. Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus) Minimum tank size: 20 gallons. Clown plecos are great little algae eaters for smaller tanks. This species only grows to about 3 inches long and they'll eat soft algae off of rocks, plants and the glass. They're not great for tougher algae, like black beard or green spot.


15 Best Algae Eaters for Freshwater Aquariums » Petsoid

On to the list! 1. Plecostomus (pleco) Temperature: 23-28c ; 73-82F. PH:5.6-7. Size: 5 inches++. One of the most common algae eaters on the market. When buying one, make sure to take note of the breed as many plecos grow to a very large size (common - 18inches, bristle nose - 5inches).


20 Best Algae Eaters Fish for Your Freshwater Aquarium

Bristlenose. One of the best algae eating fish you'll ever keep, Bristlenose are hardy, easy to keep, easy to breed and they don't get too large, topping out at about 12.5cm, depending on species. Any of the Ancistrus group make great algae eating additions to the tropical tank.


20 Best Algae Eaters Fish for Your Freshwater Aquarium

Chinese Algae Eater (Gyrinocheilos aymonieri) Chinese Algae Eaters are hardy fish known for their algae-consuming skills. They can be territorial, especially when they grow larger, so providing plenty of hiding spaces and monitoring tankmates is essential. With their sucker-like mouths, they efficiently remove algae from aquarium surfaces.


Best algae eaters for a tropical fish tank Help Guides

The slender, unassuming Siamese algae eater (SAE) is an alga devouring powerhouse. Happy to feast on multiple algae types, this fish will even attack beard algae, which other species will not do.. They reach around six inches (15 cm) in length when fully grown. They are constantly in motion and may bother timid fish with their activity level.

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