Best small algae eater?

[mountain_webste]

Bristlenose for sure. As noted before, they stay small. I had a major algae problem in my 165 and 3 BN have made a lot of headway in just a few weeks. Just be prepared for a lot of poop if there is a lot of algae alreadt in the tank.

Ottos are good too though I've found them to be delicate.

 

[guppymill]

The $1 Petsmart ottos are a steal. Just make sure you keep your receipt and bring back any dead ottos (yes, they're really delicate) for refund or exchange.

 

[guppymonkey]

personally I use my Trapdoors snails. I have one 4" one in a 30 and it stays spotless. And they are live bearers so they don't breed like rams and such.

 

[tbonedeluxe]

Pick up around 4 otto's for that 55g and you
will love them!
The 2 otto's in my clean up crew
do a great job. I bought the two of them a year ago from Petsmart.They are healthy and full. Need to catch that sale. Need 2 for my 15g and 2 more for my 55g. ;-)

 

[user_name]

I bought a baby pleco, the ottos all had ick at my pet-co, and there wasn't a bristlenose in sight....

 

[cellodaisy]

I plan on getting a few Glo-Fish to go with the danios. I love how they still think they are the same fish species.....

They are the same species.

I bought a baby pleco, the ottos all had ick at my pet-co, and there wasn't a bristlenose in sight....

Oh no... Please don't say you bought a common pleco. They get big and don't do much for algae---it won't solve your problem at all. I'd take it back if I were you.

 

[jm1212]

dont add a fish just to eat algae. its your job as the fish keeper to keep the tank clean and free of algae. if you *must* get something alive, get an apple snail or some ramshorns

 

[James0816]

Clown Plecs stay small as well and have great personality. Just throwing another option out there for you. There are few plecs that stay small though most are not readily found in your LFS.

 

[Gypsy125]

So what is the consensus on Otos? DO they eat algae? I just bought 3 in the hopes they'd help keep my planted tank clean...
Monika

 

[67chevelle]

Clown Plecs stay small as well and have great personality. Just throwing another option out there for you. There are few plecs that stay small though most are not readily found in your LFS.

Clown plecos are nocturnal,need wood in their diet,are very shy,and not good algae eaters. I have one I have had for about 3 years,and I have to look for it to make sure it is all right.
Bristle nose would be a better option of a pleco.
I have had good luck with otos.They do a good job with algae,but are pretty sensitive IME,and need a established tank.
Nerite snails are the best algae eaters IME.