Algae Eaters

[MikeInOrlando]

I noticed my first little spot of brown algae on my tank glass today. I went after it with a scrub brush and got rid of it.

However, I said I would not get any algae eating type fish until I saw the need for one. Evidently, I might now have the need.

Here's my problem. I do not like Plecos. I think they are nasty fish that create more waste than they remove.

Is there an alternative fish? Does something ELSE eat algae that would go along with what I currently have? (4 angels, two blue gouramies and roughly 6-8 tetras...and two ADFs.)

 

[aquaman#1]

Welll there is a smaller fish that is communal,and it's called the octocinclus. It does not get very big and it eats alot of algea. well that'swhat it has to eat.

 

[ct-death]

You have quite a few options to you ImAGMan.

Oto's and Simaese Algae Eaters (SAEs) come immediately to mind, and more unconvential species, which I personally woudn't recommend, but a lot of people like snails, etc.

Just be sure NOT to get a chinese algae eater (CAE) - IMO they are ultra-aggressive unless you really get lucky.

Most Pleco's are not good algae eaters anyways. Bristlenose is a great one, but mine sure does poop a lot (No Pleco removes waste).

Personally, for brown algae (Diatoms) there is not better fish-remover than the Oto IMO: http://www.otocinclus.com/

Here's a link to SAEs: http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

 

[Dave-ZZ4]

My tank is acrylic and about 3 months old. It recently started getting brown algae so I have been cleaning it every week. I cannot put Otos in because they will become food rather quickly. I have 5 African Knife fish (the smallest is about 4" long and the largest is 6") and they will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. (which can open surprisingly wide) I feed them guppies or small rosies once a week and they will attack the bag until I release the feeders.

So aside from a pleco, Is there anything that is larger than 2" and eats algae?
As for snails, Is there any specific kind?