These fish come in neutral colors like black and tan, and they grow up to 6 inches in length, so they require a tank at least 50 gallons in capacity. The whiptail catfish is omnivorous, so in addition to feeding on algae it will also feed on detritus such as uneaten fish food. These fish prefer a KH between 4 and 8 with pH in the 6. Also known as the bristlenose catfish , this species is named for the whisker-like projections on its snout.
This species does an excellent job of eating algae and also leftover fish food. These fish are easy to care for, though they do grow to a length around 5 inches. Bristlenose plecos are compatible with most peaceful species and they will tolerate a range of tank conditions. The minimum recommended tank size is 20 gallons and they generally require supplemental feeding with algae wafers, though they will feed on most types of algae and specifically green spot algae.
Though they may not feed on algae as some of the other fish on this list, mollies and other livebearers will feed on algae from time to time if it is available. Other livebearers you might consider are swordtails and platies. Swordtails are unique because they come in a variety of different colors and you can tell the sexes apart because males have a long sword-like projection at the base of their tail.
Platies also come in many different colors and patterns. Mollies and other livebearers are very peaceful fish and they do well in community tanks at least 20 gallons in size, or larger depending how many you have. Mollies can also do well in slightly brackish conditions, so consider adding a little aquarium salt to your tank but always consider others in your tank before adding anything.
One thing to keep in mind with mollies and other livebearers is that they reproduce quickly — make sure you have enough space to accommodate them. A type of killifish, the Florida flag fish is named after its resemblance to the stars and stripes on the US flag, is a stunning little nano fish covered in bright green, red,blue, and gold iridescent spots. It is also known to eat black beard algae BBA , and other fuzzy types. They are known to jump, so you should have some kind of aquarium lid.
The hillstream loach may look like some of the other algae eating catfish, but it is actually a loach coming from the Balitoridae family. Looking like a miniature stingray, a hillstream loach uses its modified ventral find to cling on rocks, driftwood, plants, or aquarium glass.
Hillstreams do an excellent job of eating up all the algae on your glass and look fantastic while they do it.
This makes the hillstream loach an excellent algae eater in a goldfish tank. Hillstreams can be semi-aggressive, but this tends to only be to their own kind. You can keep them in a group of at least to help even out any aggression. Known for the zebra-like, black striped pattern on their shells, nerite snails are one of the most popular species of algae-eating snails. These snails eat every type of algae, even the tougher types like green spot algae, and they work very quickly.
One thing to be mindful of is that these snails have a hard time turning over if they should fall on their back, so be careful when handling them. It is not uncommon for aquarium owners to include several algae eaters in their tanks, solely to keep algae growth at bay.
Although they can sometimes show aggression, they do so far less often, especially when compared to Chinese algae eaters. Max Size: 6. For the most part, they never grow to be as large as Chinese algae eaters, making them better for smaller tanks.
The great thing about the Siamese algae eater is that it takes care of all types of algae. While some fish only prefer green algae, Siamese algae eaters enjoy it all. Everything from red algae to brown algae is considered a food source to the Siamese algae eater. They are also at their algae-eating best while still young.
As they age, they tend to lean more heavily on other food sources such as pellets. But make no mistake, algae will always remain a primary food source during the lifespan of a Siamese algae eater.
But depending on how many bigger fish are contained in your tank, you may want to double-check to ensure that the environment is fit for Otocinclus catfish. Angelfish, for example, will attack Otocinclus catfish. Max Size Of Fish: 1. Otos are small fish, giving them the ability to eat algae in tight spaces. To the Otocinclus catfish, brown algae is a delicacy, although these fish will eat all sorts of algae.
Mollies are great independent fish that require minimal care. As long as a good brand of flakes is added to their regular diet and algae, they are easy to keep happy. It is not uncommon for mollies to be recommended to new tank owners. Black mollies, in particular, are known for being the most effective. Although they will eat large amounts of algae, they can also be used as algae-eating sidekicks. This is because algae serves as only one food source.
They also enjoy protein-filled food sources such as bloodworms, as well as high-quality flakes. Molly fish come in all sorts of varieties, from golden mollies to black mollies. There are even dalmatian mollies, which are known for their unique speckled design.
Although some mollies can be aggressive, they are generally friendly fish that get along well with others. Guppies Guppy Care Level: Minimal. Although Guppies will eat algae, this should not be considered their only source of food. A variety of flakes and other nutritious fish foods should be given to Guppies. Algae alone is not enough.
In most instances, you will not need to intervene in their eating habits at all. Not to be confused with the Siamese Algae Eater, this fish is one of the only few algae-eating species that you can keep with semi-aggressive fish. Chinese Algae Eaters can get up to 10 inches long. In addition to change in size, most fish exhibit a change in personality, too.
They are known to get more aggressive as they age. This can be beneficial. When you factor in their large size, the semi-aggressive behavior ensures that they can fend for themselves against other large and aggressive fish.
Chinese Algae Eaters need at least 30 gallons of space with a pH of around 6. Typically, Chinese Algae Eaters spend their time at the bottom of the tank searching for algae to eat.
As a result, you need to decorate the bottom of your tank with fine sand, lots of plants, and more. Named after the long antennae that extend out of their heads, the Rabbit Snails are a large algae-eating invertebrate that you can add to your freshwater tank. When fully grown, these creatures can get up to 5 inches in diameter. They have long conical shells that are typically colored with black, brown, and white. At the very least, Rabbit Snails need a gallon tank.
They prefer temperatures to be in the range of 76 and 84 degrees. Water should be fairly neutral to prevent shell erosion. These critters will reproduce in your tank, but the process is much slower and far more manageable.
A typical day in the life of a Rabbit Snail consists of eating algae, dead plant matter, and other detritus. The only live plants they have been known to eat are Java Fern. However, they are a completely different species.
They only get to be about 2 inches long and are much more peaceful. They are covered in splotches of beige and brown. Running through the center of their body is a thick black stripe. Algae is their main source of food. This tank-cleaning fish has a healthy appetite for brown algae. In fact, they have been known to eat it quickly, which helps to prevent the algae from becoming a major problem.
Otocinclus can eat other foods, too. They appreciate the occasional algae wafer or green leafy vegetables. They need a gallon tank, a pH balance of roughly 6. Found throughout rivers in Florida, the Flagfish is a colorful species that has a penchant for chowing down on algae. They only get to be about 2. However, they have a girthy body shape and shortened snout.
The Flagfish gets its name from its colorful appearance. Stripes of iridescent red, blue, and green create a passing resemblance to the American flag. While they are omnivores, Flagfish does like to eat algae and plant matter. Luckily, these fish will happily take standard fish flakes, live food, and pretty much anything else they can get ahold of. Twig Catfish are some of the most distinct-looking freshwater algae eaters available.
They have grown very popular in recent years. However, they can be a bit challenging to care for. Generally, these fish are quite peaceful and do just fine with other docile species. That said, they can get very skittish. They need plenty of good hiding spaces in their tank to feel safe. Speaking of the tank, Twig Catfish need at least 35 to 40 gallons.
They get to be 4 inches in length. Malaysian Trumpet Snails are burrowing snails with cone shaped shells. They eat anything that appears in the substrate, including algae. They nip algae in the bud right at the source. It is possible to get a few Malaysian Trumpet Snails in your tank without even meaning to! Just like pond snails, these tiny snails are known for hitching a ride on new aquarium plants.
If you want to keep a few of these snails for tank cleaning, they should only be kept with fish that are not large enough to eat them. Most nano fish do not pose any risk to them so it is best to keep them in a tank as small as 5-gallons.
They can eat pretty much everything that other Nerite Snails can eat, including algae, detritus, plants, and garden vegetables.
You need a gallon tank to house a small group of Sun Snails. The tank must be hooded, as they are known to make their way to the upper levels.
Other tank conditions are about the same as for any other species of Nerite Snail. The best algae eaters are the ones that maintain a natural balance between algae eating and other forms of nutrition. This way, they will not compete with others for food and resources. For these reasons you should not pick an algae eater based on their appearance alone. You should choose based on how efficient it is at keeping your aquarium clean and how well it fits your community.
Your chosen species should be tolerant of your other fish and focused on scavenging in the substrate. Algae can become a big problem in freshwater aquariums. Fortunately we have algae cleaners like the Ghost Shrimp to help — they are one of the best algae eaters around. A 40 Gallon Fish Tank is a great choice for a beginner.
You can keep a wide variety of fish in this tank. Have you ever seen a blue shrimp before? The Blue Velvet Shrimp is actually a blue color morph of the Cherry Shrimp and is one of the most popular crustaceans amongst aquarium enthusiasts.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Home Features Algae is a familiar sight to every aquarium keeper. Continue reading to discover 20 of the very best algae eaters that will keep a freshwater tank clean… Contents What Makes The Best Algae Eaters? Plecostomus 2.
Kuhli Loach 3. Otocinclus 4. Bristlenose Pleco 5. Siamese Algae Eater 6. Chinese Algae Eater 7. Siamese Flying Fox 8. Ghost Shrimp 2. Cherry Shrimp 3. Amano Shrimp 4. Bamboo Shrimp 5. Grass Shrimp 6. Snowball Shrimp 7. Bee Shrimp 8. Nerite Snail 2. Apple Snail 3. Ramshorn Snail 4. Rabbit Snail 5. Pond Snail 6.
0コメント