You could try a snail but it might get picked on or eaten. I can't really think of any other non pleco algae eaters that would work. Why don't you want a pleco? I have bristlenose plecos in my malawi tank and they do a great job. My fish also don't seem to notice that he is around and leave them alone.
To control the brown algae you can increase the lighting. This will help the brown algae as it does better in lower lighting but it will cause green algaes to grow. What i do when i get brown algae is jsut wipe the surface that it is on. Brown algae comes off very easily and should be able to be wiped away without much problems. Is you algae on the glas or decorations?
But the easiest way would be to get a algae eating fish. Otos are the best at eatign brown algae but will definately not do weel in a african tank(wrong Ph and will be picked on or even eaten due to their small size). Snails could possibly work but that depends on how aggresive your fish are. And if you change your mind about plecos teh Bristlenose is your best bet for a algae eater in a malawi tank.
A bristle nose plec would be perfect. They wont get very big at all. Around 6 inches is max for these species and plecos seem to fit very well in with malwai Cichlids. I have had a pleco with cichlids twice his size
Not all plecos get big. there are a bunch of "dwarf" plecos that do fine in smaller tanks. There are few other smaller plecos that you see regularly in LFS, clown plecos and rubbernose plecosn are jsut a few. Personally(i have both species in some of my tanks) i have found them not ot be the best algae eaters. My clown won't even touch the stuff and my rubbernose will eat a bit but not enough to make a dent.
So in almost every one of my tanks i have a bristlenoe pleco. They are great at cleaning and are one of the plecos that are quite active during the day(i hardly ever see my clown or rubbernose).
Sicne you want a algae eater i would recommend a BN pleco
i'm going to dig up this old thread because i was wondering if anyone knows of an algae eater that would work with malawis that will also not bother plants such as java fern, java moss, anubias, and vals? will plecostomus eat these plants?
I think clowns are good but you will never see them if there are good hiding places. They have never touched my plants but they are not very active either.
I LOVE rubber plecos - I think they are cool to look at - but their personality is a hit or miss. Some will be VERY active and some will not. Usually they older they get the more active they get (as they get bigger and bolder). These as said above - get to a max of 5" which is great for smaller tanks. My rubber plecos have never touched any of my plants either.
I have not have any experience with bristlenose plecos - but from reading around they are wonderful. As for the plants - I have not remembered if they are good with plants or not.
