Over time, your aquarium is going to build algae. Algae are like underwater weeds. It isn\u2019t necessarily going to hurt anything, but it can overwhelm the balanced ecosystem in your tank and can make the whole thing look gross and unclean. There are ways to clean the tank or filter the water, but what if you could get a fish that would just eat away that algae without you having to do anything? Well, that would make life a lot easier, wouldn\u2019t it?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the best algae eating fish for you? While certain breeds like the Siamese algae eater and the Otocinclus catfish are trendy and quite hardy, you\u2019ll want to consider the conditions of your tank setup before selecting an algae eater. Tank size, water temperature, and water pH are all among the things you\u2019ll want to take into account.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There are tons of great algae eaters out there that can help eliminate or manage an algae problem. Selecting the right one for your tank is critical to your success. You don\u2019t want to create more problems than you solve or spend money on a fish that can\u2019t survive in your aquarium. Follow this guide, and we\u2019ll help you select the right algae eater or eaters for your setup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What to Consider in an Algae Eating Fish<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you head out to your local pet store and pick up the first algae eater you find, you want to make sure that you\u2019re selecting something that will fit the needs of your tank. There are quite a few things to take into account here. You want to make sure that the algae eater you buy is going to eat the type of algae you\u2019re having a problem with. You\u2019ll also want to check that your tank conditions are compatible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Will it Fix the Problem?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Presumably, you\u2019re buying an algae eater because you\u2019ve got an algae problem that you need to be taken care of. You may be surprised to learn that there are many types of algae, and most algae eaters will not eat all the types.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, rather than getting a single algae eater, you\u2019re likely going to want a team of algae eaters to cover the various common types of algae and the different surfaces it can grow on. Some algae eaters will be better at covering flat surfaces, while others will be better at getting into smaller nooks and crannies. Making sure the different areas of your tank are covered from multiple types of algae will help prevent algae infestations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a breakdown of the different types of algae:<\/span><\/p>\n

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• Hair algae<\/strong> – <\/span>Hair algae forms thin wispy strands of green threads. These strands feel like wet hair to the touch and can be difficult to remove completely. Hair algae will mainly anchor to plants but may spread to other surfaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Brown algae<\/strong> \u2013 What starts as a brown dusting over the surfaces of your tank can turn into a thick coating of brown slime within days. Brown algae can get nutrients from photosynthesis and chemicals such as silicate, phosphorus, and nitrates. This means that brown algae can thrive even in low light environments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Blue-green algae<\/strong> \u2013 Not actually an alga, but photosynthesizing aquatic cyanobacteria. Blue-green algae have a blue-green color and will grow on the surface of the water or build in layers against the glass. Think about your typical pond scum. Green algae fix nitrogen, eventually depleting the nitrogen in the water, which will negatively affect your fish and any aquatic plants.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Black beard algae<\/strong> \u2013 Brown beard algae has a brown or dark purple appearance and grows in dense patches (which look like patches of beard). This alga thrives on hard surfaces, like the side of your tank, but can also grow on slow-moving plants and another tank d\u00e9cor.<\/span><\/li>\n
• Green spot algae<\/strong> \u2013 Appearing as small, hard green dots, if allowed to thrive, these will spread along with the glass, d\u00e9cor, and plants in your tank. They\u2019ll expand beyond dots into a full coating.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Green algae<\/strong> \u2013 If the water in your fish tank suddenly turns a pea soup green color, you\u2019ve got green algae. Green algae are photosynthesizing single-celled organisms. This allows it to reproduce and spread very quickly. Green algae make your tank look awful and can potentially be harmful to your fish.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Will it Survive in my Tank?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

  You\u2019ll need to make sure that any algae eaters you buy are compatible with the environment of your tank. Aquatic creatures suitable for aquariums can come from different places all over the world. Freshwater conditions can vary wildly. You\u2019ll need to either buy something that will thrive in your tank as is or change conditions in your tank to allow for the algae eater you want.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

  Here\u2019s what you need to watch out for:<\/span><\/h4>\n

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  • Water Temperature<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Water Acidity<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Tank Size<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Algae Eating Fish<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Fish are the most obvious choice for algae eaters. These are what you\u2019re likely to find in your local pet store. Fish are versatile, come in all different sizes, and some are just gorgeous\u2014adding both form and function to your tank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Siamese Algae Eater<\/span><\/h3>\n

    (lat. <\/em>Gyrinocheilus aymonieri<\/span>)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n