Having a small amount of algae in your fish tank is completely natural and normal- in fact, it’s a sign of a healthy habitat. Some aquarium enthusiasts, however, argue this fact with the belief that tanks should be pristine and spotless. Although some algae won’t hurt, large amounts can damage the ecosystem inside of your tank and cause harm to your fish. Algae becomes a problem when it starts to grow, as it grows quickly and can take over within a matter of days if not kept in check.
Algae growth can be controlled a number of ways. Some work better than others, though, and prevention is always easier than finding a cure. The easiest way to control algae is by maintenance and monitoring your tank’s nitrate levels and exposure to the sun.
If you’re looking for another way to cut down on the algae problem, look no further than the fish inside of your aquarium. Some species feed on algae and in turn, decrease the amount of it inside of your tank. In the following article, we’ll discuss some of the most popular fish species that eat algae (and other waste).
Twig Catfish
Twig catfish come from Venezuela and Colombia, and can be found in areas of heavy vegetation and flooding, with plenty of large roots and branches. Their name comes from their uncanny ability to blend in with the sticks and twigs in their environment- even in aquariums they are likely to hold perfectly still in an attempt to blend in.
They grow to be around 6 inches in captivity and will live anywhere from 5-15 years if they are cared for properly. Twig catfish are particular with their water and need it to be in pristine condition for them to thrive. Technically, they can be housed in an aquarium as small as 20 gallons but it’s recommended to house them in at least a 40 gallon aquarium, as this makes it easier to keep the water at the right level and in the right condition for these difficult fish.
Another difficulty with keeping twig catfish is that they generally thrive in a species only tank because their overly shy nature makes them unsuitable for community tanks. In a community tank with smaller fish, they will have trouble competing for resources and often end up as the victims of aggression from their tank mates.
Twig catfish live on a diet of vegetation. They should be fed prepared foods such as algae wafers and sinking pellets, fresh vegetables like cucumber and lettuce, and they should be allowed to graze on the algae growing in the aquarium. It’s a popular misconception that algae alone can provide them with adequate nutrition.
Bristlenose Plecos
The bristlenose is one of the smallest catfish species, growing to just 3-5 inches. It comes from South America and Panama and they are, in general, shorter, flatter, and wider than most plecos. As they age, they grow tentacle-like appendages from their head, giving them their name.
They prefer a tank with freshwater and a current, as they are originally found in clean rivers with moving water. They are a peaceful species that lives in harmony with most community fish and is easy to take care of, making them great for beginners. Unlike the twig catfish, bristlenose plecos are a hardy species and can adapt to tank changes without much trouble. Although they are peaceful, it’s not recommended to house two male plecos together, as they can become territorial and aggressive towards each other, effectively ruining the harmony of an otherwise peaceful community tank.
They are a primarily vegetarian species who will eat algae that builds up in the tank, however, algae alone will not provide the fish with adequate nutrition. They should be fed 85% plants and 15% protein, ideally.
Amano Shrimp
Native to Taiwan and Japan, Amano shrimp are the most popular breed of shrimp found in the aquarium. Generally, these shrimp are peaceful- when food is given, however, this can change. They will rush around the tank, frantically trying to gather food. The largest shrimp takes priority and a sort of pecking order can be observed. They should be added into established aquariums that have had time to gather debris, as algae and tank debris is crucial for their survival.
Ghost Shrimp
Ghost shrimp originate in the United States and are incredibly easy to care for. They are good for community tanks that have small, non-aggressive fish. Ghost shrimp are good scavengers, as they feed off of debris from other fish and graze on algae that grows in the tank. They spend a good amount of time feeding and cleaning, but will occasionally burrow and swim freely around their tank. Unlike many other fish, ghost shrimp do well in a group or by themselves.
Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp are freshwater shrimp that hail from the waters of Taiwan. They are hardy and great for beginner hobbyists, adding a pop of color into any tank, as well as offering handy algae-eating services.
They are peaceful and not aggressive, making them good community tank mates. Typically, most of their days are spent grazing on whatever food they can find in your aquarium. This includes everything from decaying algae wafers and fish flakes, plants, moss, substrate, and of course, algae.
They thrive in heavily planted aquariums that have places for them to hide. Moss is a necessity because cherry shrimp use it to groom themselves.
Ramshorn Snail
Ramshorn snails are an interesting addition to the tank. They can be considered a pet or a pest, depending on their numbers and why/how they ended up inside of an aquarium. They often find themselves inside of an aquarium because they were attached to a live plant or rock that was added into an unsuspecting tank- in this case, they are considered a pest. This problem is made worse by the fact that they can reproduce quickly.
If an aquarium has just one snail, it may be considered a pet. The snail won’t reproduce by itself and will add to the tank by eating some of the algae and debris buildup from within the water.
When keeping a ramshorn snail, it’s important to monitor the tank’s water. Ammonia and nitrite levels need to be kept at 0 ppm, as the snails can be sensitive to increased levels of these.
Florida Flagfish
The Florida flagfish is native to the waters of Florida, United States. It’s found in water that moves slowly and that is heavily planted, such as in marshes, ponds, and rivers. In home aquariums, this fish will stay small in size, only reaching approximately 2 inches in size. It gets its name from it colors and distinct pattern, which resemble the American flag.
Flagfish do best when kept in groups of 6 or more, or in pairs. There have been cases of flagfish being successfully housed in a community tank, however, this is hit or miss as flagfish have aggressive tendencies. They have been known to nip at the fins and tails of other fish, so any fish that are housed with them should be fast swimmers with short tails that are less easily bitten. Males of this species can also be territorial, and should be given plenty of room to establish their own space.
They are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods such as flake foods, fresh vegetables, and live or frozen food like brine shrimp and black worms. They also eat algae that they find around the tank, proving them to be useful as cleaner fish.
Bulldog Pleco
This species of pleco hails from the Amazon and South America. They reach around 6 inches and are a docile species, making them ideal for community tanks. When their environment is heavily planted, this species thrives, as it spends most of its time hiding and blending in with its environment, much as it would in the rivers of its origin.
They are usually kept in groups of 3 or more and do very well with other small groups of plecs. Upon first introduction with another group, the bulldog pleco may be territorial- this will dissipate, though, as the groups establish their own territory within the tank.
They are not picky and will eat an array of foods. They will consume algae of off rocks, wood, plants, and the aquarium’s substrate, as well as decaying plant matter and leftover meat matter from the meals of their tankmates. Although they will eat nearly anything, they should be given a diet that is high in vegetation and that includes sinking pellets.
Siamese Algae Eater
The Siamese algae eater is one of the most well-known algae eaters. They come from Southeast Asia and are excellent for keeping a tank clean, as they move often and can get an entire tank cleaned in record time.
When searching for algae, they’ll swim around the bottom of the tank and once they find a spot, will stay and eat until the area has been thoroughly cleaned. If there are more than a few in one tank, they will band together and form a group that may often be seen eating in the same location. Although they aren’t aggressive, their active natures can disturb calmer species of fish as they move quickly and almost constantly.
Siamese algae eaters will stop eating algae from the tank if they are given access to too much other food, such as flakes and pellets. They have a large appetite and can eat all day if you let them (which isn’t recommended).
African Cichlids
African cichlids are a very diverse species of fish. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and each species has its own unique personality. Most of them originate from the lakes of East Africa.
They are a hardy fish that can survive most of the mistakes made by beginner aquarists, and are good at adapting to change. On average, an African cichlid will live for up to 8 years and grow to be 3-8 inches in size.
This type of fish is very active and spends most of its time swimming and following things that move outside of the tank. This behavior can make them appear as if they are hungry when in actuality, tracking movement is just a habit. They are strong swimmers and have the ability to jump high enough to launch themselves out of their tank, although they rarely do this unless they’re scared.
The most important thing to consider is that they are an aggressive species. They are known for their territorial nature, which is especially prominent during mating, when they will often fight to the death. In general, they do best in small groups or alone. They aren’t recommended for community tanks, as they are notorious tail nippers. Bottom-dwelling tank mates are good options as long as they are roughly the same size as the cichlids, but small fish can easily become a main course.
African cichlids have omnivorous diets that include a variety of plants, meats, and insects. Depending on the specific species of cichlid you have, his diet may need to be altered to be more plant or meat based. Although cichlids are not considered to be “tank cleaning” or “algae cleaning” fish, they do occasionally graze on algae within the aquarium.
There are a handful of great options when it comes to fish that will clean your tank for you. However, not all of the fish mentioned above will be suitable for every tank, so it’s important to conduct a bit of research before adding a cleaning fish to your aquarium. Luckily, most of the popular cleaning fish are friendly, with the exception of the African cichlid, which has its own very distinct personality.