Ok, No they are not great Algae eaters, Thats only one drawback though. as they mature they will become aggresive with its ownkind and anything else in the tank. If you have any slow moving fish, a CAE has been known to Latch on to they body of other fish, and basically suck the life out. They also stop eating algae when they mature. If you are wanting a similar type fish, I would recomend a Siamese Algae eater (SAE), They are Herbivorous and will eat algae through out thier life, and they are they only ones that will eat the dreaded Hair Algae.