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Is there such a thing as a good algae eater? I find all they so is make for of a mess then cleaning it. I was wondering what species could you suggest to me for being the best algae eater. My best guess would be a Chinese Algae Eater.

I'd have to say my twig catfish. Although a little lazy sometimes (there are stories of them dying because they refused to move an inch to get the algae and starved to death) but I find they do an amazing job and are particularly good at getting those hard to reach corners.

I personally think otos and BNs are good algae eaters, although BNs are poop machines as well


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Chinese algae eaters sometimes quit eating algae once they get older. They aren't very good at it at all.

I like BNs and ottos, but they produce lots of waste. I think pretty much all algae eaters do, because they have to eat lots of algae to get enough nutrients.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

BN's do add a lot to the bio load, but they are very good at keeping algae under control so IMO it's worth it if you keep up with gravel vacs.

Otos are great algae eaters too, but they need to be kept in a group. They can sometimes be a little bit sensitive so it's best to drip acclimate them. Without a decent crop of algae they usually don't get enough to eat, so make sure they're is always algae in the tank if you get some. If they clean your tank up quickly, the best bet is to cultivate an algae rock.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Otos do about the best job in my tanks. They can get the tiniest places and even with 8 it doesn't seem to add as much to the bioload as a bn. 3 managed to strip a 30g that had strings of brown algae. When they ran out of algae along with my farlowellas I just tied a paper clip to the end of my algae magnet and stuck a leaf of romaine lettuce on it. Otos also eat some shrimp pellet, algae wafer, and leftover flakes. Farlowellas like driftwood or flat rocks and will just sit there cleaning the same spot over and over and... I'm amazed mine don't starve before they decide to move to a new rock.
Just found out there are zebra otos! I want!

SAEs - constant grazing, and the safest bets for hair and brush algae. Plus, the most fun, entertaining non-cichlids available, IMO.

-Molly
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If only real SAEs were easier to find ....

Chinese Algae Eater.

These are considered to be the best algae eaters but and a big but. I have eight in all four large and four smaller ones. The larger prefer to eat all the other foods rather than the algae. I have read several times that is not uncommon with them as they get older.

If you want to see what is in my tank.

DoctorJ I seem to have no trouble locating them they are in four local Aqu that I know of

Have a look in My Profile for my tank info

Keith

Last edited by keithgh at 08-Nov-2004 20:28

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Keith, I've seen your tank and I'm 99% sure you don't have CAEs, but rather Siamese algae eaters.

On another note--true chinese algae eaters are GREAT algae eating fish---which also happen to grow to 12" in length and will chase and suck on just about any fish which swims in front of them.

BNs are probably your best bet.

Cup_of_Lifenoodles

Yes sorry for the mistake

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Keith, you're lucky you can find them so readily. Here I often see flying foxes, but they're not the same thing as SAEs, even though they look very similar.

Bristlenose Catfish!! I have read that CAE's are not good at all.

CAEs become lazy with old age and size. And can become aggressive when they get big.

SAEs will eat thread algae that no other algae eater will touch, but they can grow fast, and hit 5 inches in pretty short order, as two I bought to control thread algae in 1999 did!

Otocinclus are efficient if you get them in a team. I have 7 in my aquarium and they keep the algae neatly controlled. In fact, I grow algae on little rocks for them as an extra treat after each gravel vac! The infamous Otocinclus Pet Rock™ that I talk about in my bnig Otocinclus post

Most Loricariids are pretty efficient, not just Otocinclus. For something a little different, but still modest sized, try Parotocinclus maculicauda or the Hypoptopoma species. Next step up size wise is the preennial favourites of so many people here - Bristlenoses (Genus Ancistrus), and from that point on you're into the medium and large Plecs. If you have the space, the most impressive are the large Panaque species and the truly huge Acanthicus adonis and Acanthicus hystrix (these latter two reach 3 feet!). But be warned, a big Plec needs a LOT of space!

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002