so who eats brown algae?

[mtdewlover]

I have a 29 gallon cichlid tank. I want to have a low lighted planted tank. Well, I have a huge pleco. I've heard he will eat the plants and should look into getting something else. My b/f has SAE's in his tank and seem to do fine. But, I had brown algae thats why I got the pleco in the first place. So what bottom eaters will eat this brown algae without being lunch for my cichlids???

 

[Ledslnger]

I have heard that the Flying foxes are the best fish for this algae. I haven't had one, but just wanted to throw that in. Maybe someone else will throw in from their experience.

 

[VoodooChild]

Never tried it myself, but clown pl*cos (peckolita) are supposed to do a decent job of it. I've also heard that the foxes do to.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

The pleco won't eat the plants. They want fresh veggies. He will lightly graze the leaves to get the algae off, but he won't eat them.

 

[famman]

IMO the best brown algae eaters are otocinclus. very small, but very industrious. best kept in groups
good luck

 

[Orbitorly]

Wouldn't the cichlid pick on the otos ?

 

[oscar andy]

rubber lip plecos are awesome on brown algea. I had a algea problem in my 90gal, I added 1 2.5 inch ruber lip and in about 2 weeks I had nothing on the glass, in another week the driftwood looked like I just put it in the tank.