When I found out this edition of Pet Connection is super-hero themed, I was excited. I’m sure someone out there thinks, “How in the world are superheroes and fish connected?” Well, I’ll happily tell you all about the type of fish I consider to be the superheroes of the home aquarium: algae eaters! Superheroes o often prevent problems from occurring before the civilians notice there’s anything amiss. Algae eaters (some kinds of fish, snails, and shrimp) are able to prevent tank issues by maintaining a healthy environment for all tank inhabitants. Plecocostomus, also known as pleco or sucker fish, is the most common algae eater. There are many types of plecos with a wide range of sizes, colors, and markings. The most common is the Common Plecostomus. They are generally between 1-4” in size when sold, but will quickly outgrow the tank if it is under 50 gallons. They can easily and quickly grow up to two feet long. Pleco waste will cause the water parameters to swiftly decline, so it’s best to research the best pleco for the tank you have.

Older Common Pleco will also become aggressive and will not be able to share a tank with smaller fish. There are alternatives to the Common Pleco, however, that can be kept in smaller tanks and live peacefully with community fish. The Bristlenose Pleco or the Clown pleco are both great options for community tanks. The Bristlenose grows to about 4” and the Clown pleco tops out around 3.5”. Both species require driftwood to be healthy, along with some hiding spots. They are nocturnal and greatly benefit from shady hiding areas. The Bristlenose is commonly available in brown and but can be found in gold and albino. Both plecos are great conversation starters. With their thick plates, they look like superheroes in custom armor. The Siamese Algae Eater is another great algae eater. These fish are peaceful and gentle on live plants. They are between 4-6” fully grown. One of their best features is their constant appetite and willingness to eat more than just one type of algae.

They are even willing to eat the awful Black Bearded Algae. Just the fact they are willing to go against this villain of the aquarium world solidifies their superhero status. The Chinese Algae Eater looks similar to the Siamese Algae Eater, but they have some big differences. They are not as effective as some of the other algae eaters, but they are a great option for large tanks because they can live happily alongside larger semi-aggressive species, such as African Cichlids. The Chinese Algae Eater is not suitable for small tanks, as they can grow up to 11” and get semi-aggressive once they reach adolescence. The Otocinclus, also known as Oto, is my absolute favorite algae eater. I recommend it more than any other. I know I have written about this fish several times, but it is for good reason. The Otocinclus only grows to 2” and is very peaceful. This fish is also a workaholic! Some of the larger algae eaters will become lazy and slack on the job, but the Oto is always busy.

They will not damage plants or disturb their tankmates, including baby fish. If the tank is small, only one or two are needed. But, if they are going into a large tank, it is best to get a group of them to share the workload. You will quickly see a reduction in algae. These fish are on the job, day and night. Snails are also good algae eaters. Mystery and Nerite snails excel at it. fish tank water exchangerThey both eat a variety of algae types, decaying plant matter, and uneaten food. fish tank light algaeSince they clean up after other fish they are constantly helping keep the water conditions healthy. fish tank water filter setupMalaysian Trumpet snails are also great with algae. juwel fish tanks perth

Hobbyists either love or despise them. These snails will burrow into the substrate, naturally aerating the substrate, helping plant health. They also consume decaying food and plant matter, along with algae. The biggest con for these snails is the rapid rate they reproduce. The rate of reproduction is directly linked to the amount of food available for them in the tank. cheap aquariums for sale brisbaneThe main reason for over population is overfeeding. top cover for fish tankIf the available food is constant, however, Malaysian Trumpet populations can be controlled. Finally, Amano Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp are also good choices. The Amano is more effective because it consumes a wider variety of algae, tank mate leftovers, and decaying plant matter throughout the tank. The Amano is 2” in size at maturity, so it’s able to live alongside several types of community fish without getting bullied.

The Cherry shrimp is about 1” fully grown, so it may become a target. It may be eaten or stressed. The Cherry Shrimp are best for planted tanks with only smaller fish. It will sit in the leaves, eating algae film and microorganisms, without harming the plants. There are many more species of Freshwater-Aquarium-Superheroes I didn’t have space for, but we would love to show you our algae eaters and discuss the best option for your tank. We hope to see you at our downtown Olympia location at 407 4th Ave E.Algae eaters have long been an integral part of the aquarium-keeping hobby for balancing the natural ecosystem we are all trying to replicate. Due to their expertise in algae removal coupled with their quirky looks and habits, they are glorious additions to your aquatic family. From fish, to shrimp, to snails; we will cover our favorites for eating algae in your tank. Read this article to learn how to choose a new clean-up crew for your tank. Because of how important these fish are to your aquarium, it is essential that you learn how they can naturally clean up your system so you can stay away from harsh chemicals.

Let us know what we missed in the comments below. First, we should probably discuss a basic but important question: what is an algae eater? Most people have only a very general idea of what algae-eaters are, typically only associating the term with just one or two very popular species. Instead, “algae-eaters” should be understood to describe a rather large group of fish and invertebrates, each with their own specific needs and requirements for your tank type. Besides looking at the water parameters that a given fish can survive and, hopefully, thrive in, it’s necessary to consider other important facets of a tank’s ecosystem and its inhabitants. Activity and Aggression Levels of Tank Mates: This is a very important question to ask. Do your current fish or critters mesh well with your chosen algae eater? Oxygenation Levels: What are the oxygenation levels in your tank? Pick an algae eater that matches the same requirements as your existing ecosystem. Speed of Current: Some algae eaters like lots of current but, for others, it’s kind of stressful.

Does your speed of current rule out any algae eating critters? Density of Foliage/Hardscape: What density of foliage and hardscape do you currently have in your tank? How will that affect a potential algae eater? Be very careful in your research of algae-eaters to make sure that you are creating a match made in aquarium heaven.In deciding which type of algae-eater to add to your tank, it’s important to consider the personalities and husbandry needs of your current tank inhabitants as well as the algae-eater you’re looking to add to your aquarium. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to algae-eating solutions for an aquarium. Luckily, most commercially available algae-eaters can thrive within a wide range of water parameters. Assuming you keep your water quality clean and stable, you’ll mainly just have to focus on making sure that the different personalities for your aquatic citizens mesh well together. Whether you want to learn more about starting a new aquarium or just more advanced nuances to clean your system for better tank photography, this article will explain our favorite options.

Bristlenose plecos are a great addition to most aquariums. These weird little guys only grow to be around 4in long, allowing them to fit into most medium-sized community aquariums. This makes them a valuable alternative to the very common “Sucker Fish” (Hypostomus Plecostomus) that grows to almost two feet long. On top of their impressive algae-eating abilities, they’re capable of being quite the conversation starter. Males develop large whiskery growths on their faces, something that seems appropriate for an aquatic janitor. They’re also commonly available in different color varieties, namely gold or albino. This means that they can be quite the dramatic addition to an aquarium. This particular pleco alge-eater will do well in aquariums that have driftwood and plenty of hiding spots. Siamese algae eaters are the algae-eating powerhouses of the fishkeeping world. Their generally peaceful nature and ability to eat and control a wide range of algae (including the dreaded Black Beard algae) makes them an asset to almost any aquarium.

These guys are particularly ravenous. Not only will they eat some of the least appetizing forms of algae, they’ll also help control flatworm populations and eat leftover detritus in the aquarium. They also do extremely well in planted aquariums because they’re not known to typically damage the plants when grazing for algae. Chinese algae eaters have been around the aquarium trade for a while. Though they aren’t necessarily the best algae-eaters available, they do offer something that our previously mentioned species don’t. Although Chinese algae eaters can be docile enough to be kept in a community tank when they’re adolescents, they become much more aggressive as they age. This obviously means that they shouldn’t be kept in community tanks, but this might actually be an advantage for some fish-keepers. These particular suckerfish get on the larger side (in terms of the fish presented here today), reaching about 10in or so. Their large size and agility make them one of the few algae-eaters that can survive with larger semi-aggressive fish or in certain African cichlid tank setups.

These algae-eating catfish are one of the best species in the trade, hands-down. These are the smallest species in this article, only getting up to 1.5in or so. This and their very calm demeanor make them perfect for most community tanks. These guys do best in groups are do remarkably well in planted aquariums. They will not harm the plants and are particularly good at removing brown algae and general new algae growth before it gets a chance to take hold in the tank. Twig catfish are one of the best catfish algae-eaters in the hobby and are slowly becoming more and more available. They readily accept a variety of foods and quickly clear a tank of any green algae. However, out of all the algae-eating fish discussed in this article, this particular species requires the most care. They need to be in an aquarium that has high oxygen levels and a bit of a current, not to mention pristine water-quality. And, because of their shy nature, they must be kept with accommodating species that won’t out-compete them for food.

Assuming your aquarium meets these requirements, a twig catfish would make an interesting and useful addition to your tank. Mollies, platys, and guppies are readily available within the aquarium trade. A lot of community tanks feature these fellows already because of their ability to rapidly reproduce. Fortunately, these fish are also helpful in taking care of hair algae. Mystery snails, a smaller species of Apple snail, are a very popular snail that can be found at almost any local fish store. These snails are true detrivores and will helpfully eat different types of algae, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food. Mystery snails are one of the larger snail species in this article, but they still only top out at around 2in, making them a sure bet for smaller community tanks as well as larger ones. Nerite snails are in high-demand within the pet trade. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and, unlike most other snails, will not breed in the aquarium.

Nerites are intense algae grazers, willing to eat almost any type of algae while not harming any live plants within the aquarium. This particular species of snail is practically required for any planted aquarium. These snails are prized for their tendency to scavenge for food underneath aquarium substrate. They are detrivores and will eat plant and protein matter found underneath the substrate while also coming out to eat soft algae. Their drive to look for food underneath the substrate effectively makes them plow the soil, so to speak, aerating it for live plants. The only drawback is that this species of snail will very quickly and rapidly breed within the aquarium if food is abundant. These little aquatic rubies are one of the most popular ornamental shrimp species widely available. They’re pretty hardy if their water conditions are kept stable and will easily breed within the aquarium. Cherry shrimp are great at eating different types of hair algae and will also eat leftover fish food.

They come in a variety of colors (though a bright red is the most common) and make beautiful tank mates if kept with smaller fish that won’t hunt them. Amano shrimp are the best algae-eating shrimp species. Their larger size (2in) makes them better able to defend themselves in community tanks, setting them apart from the Cherry shrimp. This species is great at eating various types of soft algae as well as decaying plant matter and some leftover fish food. Every aquarium has its own unique ecosystem and, accordingly, special care should be taken to meet the needs of an individual tank. Nualgi Aquarium helps to fill in the gaps of your aquarium’s ecosystem by nurturing helpful Diatoms with nano silica, the building block of your tank’s food chain. Working best in a fairly established freshwater aquarium, Nualgi sets the groundwork to promote a beautiful and healthy aquatic environment that any well-chosen algae-eater would love to complement. With Nualgi working to perfect your tank, the only thing you have left to do is pick the right algae-eater.