They have gotten quite large as well. Hi Paige, you can keep them singularly, in pairs or in a school. Goldfish produce a lot of waste and a high bio-load on the tank so you might want to consider putting them in a separate tank.
Another thought is, what temperature is your water at? Goldfish need coldwater tanks, Swordtails need tropical water, Mollies can live in either.
Yes, tank is too small again. It is a column tank so it is pretty cold in the lower half. Have a heater on one side close to the top. Going to get another tank for the Goldfish then. Thank you very much! If so how many of either? My tank is finally safe enough to get new fish but algae are growing everywhere! What should I get? Note: the catfish survived in the environment just fine. Hi Ian, most snails or shrimps will be fine in your set up.
One of my favorites is the Nerite Snail. Hi, I have a gallon community freshwater setup with no live plants. Now my tank is finally safe for fish again but there are algae everywhere.
Hi Ian, snails and shrimps are great options for tanks with algae. Neither of them take up much space and there are plenty of species available for 10 gallon tanks. I bought 3 amano shrimp a week ago and they keep getting cought in the filter.
How can I fix this? Hi Ian, what type of filter do you have? You can use a sponge as a pre filter which will prevent them getting caught in it too. I have an 80 litre tank with 1 male beta, guppies ,ottos , danios and snails.
Would shrimp survive? Betta is young. My wife and I have a 20 gallon tank with 5 glofish tetras and 2 albino cory catfish. What kind of Algea eater can we add to the tank with the corys? I am starting a small scale Aquaponics setup for my biology classroom. I have a 35 gallon tank that will have a PVC rigging with basil and mint as my plants for harvesting. Are there any particular algae eaters that would do especially well with few decorations and a decent stock of ornamental fish in this kind of setup?
Hello, many catfish are ideal algae eaters for a tank this size. A Cory Catfish, or a Bristlenose Pleco would be great. Ideas for fish include a group of Mollies or Guppies. Good luck with your setup. I have gotten a tank in December I have 4 glofish and two snail dont know species to help w the algae.
I use bottle water to fill it up due to city water that has to much chlorine. I only feed the fish once a day. I have the filter that has the white sponge like one black and while ricks in their own individual bags.
Any suggestions on how to get the tank clear. Hi Jen, Did you allow your tank to cycle for weeks before adding fish? This is important to establish the nitrogen cycle. If you did, you might want to consider a diatom filter and covering the tank for a few days to stop any light getting in. I have 23 gallon Heavily Planted tank. How do you suggest and is it because of Overfeeding and Overstocking? Hello, your tank is overstocked so that is probably causing the extra waste on the gravel.
Have you tried using a gravel cleaner? You can choose a manual one which will allow you to hover very gently around the planted areas. I currently have a veil tail betta and two cory catfish, one albino and one panda. I have gallon tank with three breeding pairs of peacock cichlids a few random female peacocks 5 electric blue Jack Dempsey babies which when start to show colour I will be selling 4 as I know I can only keep one.
Just wanted to pick the best coloured one. I also have 2 albino Bristlenose Plecos. I am looking for ideas of fish to clean substrate and also cracks and crevices. I have been considering a couple clown loaches for picking food off the bottom. My main problem is finding an algae eater that stays small enough to fit through the holes of the live rock and not be eaten by the cichlids.
Was wondering if Bertie snails may be an option since they may be able to hide in the rocks to stay alive or shrimp or snails. Hi, I have a 30gal tank, on well water, 1 dwarf gourami, 1 Cory albino, 4 zebra dino which all are growing well, water stays clear and clean. Algae build up every couple weeks can you suggest a algae eater? Hello, I have an algae problem with my litres fish tank. I currently have 2 Sarasa Comet goldfish, both around 12 cm long from nose to end of the tail , 1 Bronze Corydoras and 1 Peppered Corydoras and I cannot seem to find the right algae eater for the fish tank without getting my goldfish hurt.
Which algae eater would be the best suitable one to live peacefully with my goldfish and my Corydoras without getting anybody hurt? Hi there, what would the best algae eater be, to go in a 12 litre we think tank with no more than two fantail goldfish? Friends have recommended catfish, snails or freshwater mussels? We are in Australia. Can you suggest me another species or tell me if it is okay to keep plecos in a smaller maybe group?
I have a 5 gal tank cycled and ready for aquatic friends! We had a betta and a miracle snail previously, both died when I unknowingly upgraded their 1. I am thinking another betta would be great, but feel torn on buying one in a small tub. I know they need homes, but to support companies who do this….
I also want algae eaters- not necessarily a snail. I was thinking about ghost shrimp. Should I introduce shrimp to the tank first and then a fish? I was thinking about 3- but should I get all males or all females?
Just ready to have some life back in the tank. Thanks for any help! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Resources » Freshwater Fish » Must-Have Algae Eaters for Your Aquarium To have some algae in your tank is completely normal and natural, and is actually a sign of a healthy aquarium. Freshwater Fish. October 11, Robert. Non-Fish Tank Mates. February 19, Robert.
September 30, Robert. About Robert Articles. Robert Woods is the creator of FishKeeping World, a third-generation fish keeper, and a graduate in animal welfare and behavior. Hi Ann, Your tank sounds much too small for the amount and type of fish you have in there.
Thanks, Robert Reply. I need some type of algea eater that will survive with cichlids Reply. Hi Patricia, What types of cichlids do you have? Robert Reply. The algae is the typical green sludge type. What size is your tank? Chinese algae eaters is what I use Reply. Thanks Reply. Elizabeth Reply. Hi Elizabeth, you could put a Bristlenose pleco or some snails and shrimp in. Just relocated him to try this, thanks!
Thanks Robert Reply. I keep both in my tanks, and have found them to be extremely voracious in their appetite when faced with algae Reply. Hi Jo, thanks for sharing your experience with us. While they only live for a year, most of that time will be spent chowing down on algae throughout your tank. You can often find them sneaking around rocks, climbing up plants, and even burrowing in the substrate.
Thanks to their conical shells, Trumpet Snails are more than capable of uprooting plants, so exercise caution when arranging your tank! Another important thing to be wary of is breeding. Like many other freshwater snails, Trumpet Snails reproduce at a very rapid pace. Whiptail Catfish are hardy creatures that prefer warmer waters. They do best in temperatures between 72 and 79 degrees. As for water acidity, these algae-eating fish prefer relatively neutral habitats with a pH balance between 6.
This species of catfish offers a unique look. Their bodies are covered in thick scales that offer significant protection, much like armor on a knight. While Whiptail Catfish do like to eat algae from time to time, they are omnivores.
They lean more toward protein when given the chance. In between snacking on algae, they will feed on uneaten fish food, frozen foods, and even live foods packed with protein.
These invertebrates are aptly named for their sudden growth spurts. When they are purchases as juveniles, Mystery Snails are quite small. However, in the span of a year, they can reach sizes of 2 inches in diameter. Some will even get as big as a baseball! They come in a wide range of colors. Most often, these snails take on a bright yellow hue, making them easy to spot in your tank.
You can find them feeding on all types of algae. This includes green plant algae, algae in the substrate, and algae on the glass.
Mystery Snails are highly adaptable creatures. They can stay healthy in temperatures ranging from 68 to 84 degrees. Slightly alkaline water with a pH balance between 7. Their bodies are gray and semi-transparent. Some specimens even have splashes of blue, which complements the dark spots that cover their body.
Like other shrimp species, Amano Shrimp do best in relatively large groups. A gallon tank is required. Though, the low biomass these critters produce makes it nearly impossible to overcrowd a tank. They prefer a pH between 6. Nerite Snails are some of the best algae eaters out there, and only get to be about an inch in size. Because they are so small, you only a gallon tank to support them. These snails are not hard to care for.
This is especially true when it comes to water quality. They do best in moderate conditions with temperatures between 72 and 79 degrees.
The pH balance can be anywhere from 7. The cool thing about Nerite Snails is that they eat almost any kind of algae. This includes green spot algae, which is notoriously tough for other species. Siamese Algae Eaters are a great tank-cleaning fish that work hard to keep things looking spotless. They consume all kinds of algae.
The fish will even gobble up types of algae that other creatures ignore. Measuring about 6 inches in length when fully grown, Siamese Algae Eaters are a beautiful ornamental fish that also serves a practical purpose. These algae-eating fish are very peaceful. A slightly larger tank of 25 to 30 gallons is recommended. Hailing from South America, the Rubber Lip Pleco is a bottom-dwelling fish that can keep your tank in good shape for years.
They have a long lifespan of up to 12 years! When it comes to behavior and temperament, Rubber Lip Plecos are quite solitary and will not pay other fish any mind. The minimum tank size you need to keep these fish is 25 to 30 gallons. Temperatures should stay between 72 and 80 degrees. Meanwhile, the pH should be around 6. Plant-based foods, such as algae wafers and green vegetables will provide the balanced diet they need. Ramshorn Snails are another tank addition that has definitely earned their place among the best freshwater algae eaters.
You might also see them feeding on old fish food or decaying plant leaves. There are several color variations for Ramshorn Snails.
Though, we recommend larger if you plan on keeping a large group of them together. As one of the larger algae-eating shrimp species available, Bamboo Shrimp require slightly larger habitats to thrive. We recommend sticking to tanks no smaller than 20 gallons.
If you have a group, increase the size of the tank significantly. The pH should be around 6. However, these brightly colored dwarf shrimp breed easily in home aquariums, and with a decent-sized colony, they provide excellent preventative maintenance against the buildup of excess food and algae.
Read more about them in our cherry shrimp article. An army of bright red cherry shrimp exploring a lush forest of green aquarium plants is a delightful sight to behold. The catfish of the Otocinclus genus are commonly known as otos or dwarf suckermouths because they typically stay around 2 inches 5 cm in length. Their smaller, slender bodies allow them to fit into tighter spaces than other algae-eating fish.
Like the hillstream loach, their mouths are ideal for eating diatom algae from flat surfaces, and you can find them usually hanging out on the aquarium glass or plant leaves.
Otos are prone to being underfed, so make sure you give them plenty of Repashy Soilent Green and vegetables like canned green beans and blanched zucchini slices. For more information on how to care for these adorable catfish, read our full article here. Otocinclus catfish are a schooling fish, so try to get at least three to six of the same species to help these shy creatures feel safe and comfortable.
Crossocheilus oblongus also known as SAE for short is a 6-inch 15 cm cleaner fish that is commonly used in larger aquariums. Their downturned mouths are well-suited for eating hair algae, black beard algae, and leftover scraps in the fish tank.
Therefore, you may need to reduce food portion sizes in order to get older SAEs interested in eating algae again. As with hillstream loaches, SAEs can be a little territorial with their own or similar-looking species, so choose to either get one individual or at least three in a group for more algae-eating power. Siamese algae eaters are not the same as Chinese algae eaters, which are much more aggressive and can get twice as big.
This 2. If you have an unheated tank with other fast-swimming tank mates, this killifish may be the right algae eater for you. As a native of North America, flagfish can thrive in cooler water environments without any aquarium heaters. Thankfully, bristlenose plecos from the Ancistrus genus are peaceful catfish that stay between 4 to 5 inches less than 13 cm , making them perfect for a gallon tank or larger. Their suckermouths are made for devouring algae, vacuuming up food crumbs, and keeping driftwood clean.
However, remember to feed them a well-rounded diet of sinking wafers , frozen bloodworms, and Repashy gel food to make sure they get all the necessary nutrients. Mollies are popular livebearers from the Poecilia genus that live in fully fresh to fully salt water in the Americas.
Because of their flat, grasping jaws and bottomless stomachs, they are constantly picking at algae found on plants, hardscape, and even flat surfaces. The aquarium hobby has selectively bred them into a wide range of colors, patterns, fin types, and body shapes, and they readily reproduce if given plenty of food and hiding spots for the fry. As a heads up, fancy mollies are often raised in brackish water fish farms, so if you sense health problems with your new fish, consider adding aquarium salt and extra minerals to help them thrive.
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