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. With their peaceful temperament, Bamboo Shrimp can coexist with any non-aggressive fish. They can even live comfortably with small fish without any issues. These invertebrae will primarily eat algae and plant matter.
You can supplement this meal with some wafer or green vegetables but do so with caution. In most instances, you will not need to intervene in their eating habits at all. Not to be confused with the Siamese Algae Eater, this fish is one of the only few algae-eating species that you can keep with semi-aggressive fish. Chinese Algae Eaters can get up to 10 inches long.
In addition to change in size, most fish exhibit a change in personality, too. They are known to get more aggressive as they age. This can be beneficial. When you factor in their large size, the semi-aggressive behavior ensures that they can fend for themselves against other large and aggressive fish. Chinese Algae Eaters need at least 30 gallons of space with a pH of around 6.
Typically, Chinese Algae Eaters spend their time at the bottom of the tank searching for algae to eat. As a result, you need to decorate the bottom of your tank with fine sand, lots of plants, and more.
Named after the long antennae that extend out of their heads, the Rabbit Snails are a large algae-eating invertebrate that you can add to your freshwater tank. When fully grown, these creatures can get up to 5 inches in diameter. They have long conical shells that are typically colored with black, brown, and white. At the very least, Rabbit Snails need a gallon tank. They prefer temperatures to be in the range of 76 and 84 degrees. Water should be fairly neutral to prevent shell erosion.
These critters will reproduce in your tank, but the process is much slower and far more manageable. A typical day in the life of a Rabbit Snail consists of eating algae, dead plant matter, and other detritus. The only live plants they have been known to eat are Java Fern. However, they are a completely different species. They only get to be about 2 inches long and are much more peaceful.
They are covered in splotches of beige and brown. Running through the center of their body is a thick black stripe. As far as algae, i really only get it on a few pieces of rock decorations that are in the tank. A few people said snails, but i hear they multiply quick. Can you just have one Siamese Algae Eater or should they be bought in pairs?
Same sex or opposite? I kept an almost pristine tank for years until my daughter dropped 2 goldfish in it when she left for college. 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!
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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. July 13, Robert. October 11, Robert. February 27, 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. Most need a few fresh veggies as well as frozen thawed blood worms in addition to algae at the very least to keep them healthy.
Drift wood is also necessary. They will eat this as well as it helps them to digest their other food properly. Overall, they are much more complex than a lot of people realize. If there are any of the things I mentioned that you are not doing, that could be your problem. If you ever see this, I hope it helps! Plecos are aggressive to eachother.
It could have been lack of food, aggression, or it grew to big for the tank. You should have a minimum of a 75 for just the pleco. And gold fish are notoriously dirty fish. If you have a well planted 75 gallon with your 3 gold fish and a pleco at exactly 74 degrees high end for gold fish, low end for plecos , it would still be wise to have your pet store check your water levels periodically.
Typically if you take a sample in they will do this for you for free. I had the same issue with a beautiful Pleco i had too. I gave it algae pellets and it at whatever was also in the tank but i learned that you cannot just depend on the pellets and what is in the tank. I learned you need to add things like zuchinni or cucumbers and let them eat on it during the night.
Not clear if your plecs were bristlenose? I have one who lives in a 50 gallon live planted community tank. I feed a mixture of flakes and wafers once a day early evening.
Occasionally blanched courgette. I have many places for fish to hide and mr pleccy has a favourite place in a potter tube. He enjoys grazing on driftwood and comes out when it is feeding time. I have a mixed tank of shrimp, nerite snails, pygmy loach cardinal and neon tetra, harlequins, siamese algae eaters and five banded barbs. I do love goldfish but read that a goldfish requires a 50 gallon tank!
Could this be the problem. Not sure about your water changes etc but do know they create waste plus plus. Maybe not getting enough food Goldfish tend to out out with food And so nothing left for bottom feeders Also some wood needs to be available to feed. Swim bladder disorder is usually caused by a mechanical issue like constipation, so I doubt you did anything to cause it. Some Algae eaters will dig into the substrate and eat and dig out old material old fish food, leavings, fish droppings, etc.
So this could be a sign its doing its job. Also I would suggest you clean or replace your tanks water filter more frequently until the cloudy situation is resolved.
They eat algae. How old is your set-up? Is it fully cycled? How many new fish have you added at once? There are a lot of variables. Water changes. Goldfish can take a lot more of these variables.
Also the larger the pleco, the more food it needs. Hi Plecs are tropical. Goldfish are cold water fish.. They hibernate and in my pond under an inch of ice for 2 months. Then they wake up and breed. Plecs at 22 C or below will slow down and die. Is the tank being newly cycled? Other water parameters pH, ammonia, etc? Substrate change or aggitation recently? Type of substrate? White cloudy water or brown or green? There are a couple of possibilities. Plecos are known to produce lots of waste and thus could be clouding up your water.
Either way my suggestion for all of these is getting a UV sterilizer, and do frequent water changes. The UV sterilizer will help clear up the cloudiness while also helping to get rid of any harmful bacteria in your tank. I know it helped me quite a bit when my fish came down with ich. Hope this helps and sorry it was so long. They lay out really big poops. Lots of waste in some cases. The activity level of your bottom dwellers: — Some bottom dwellers kick up a lot of substrate into the water column when foraging or hiding.
Plecos and kuhli loaches come to mind. Water changes: — How often are you doing water changes, if at all? How are you doing them? Filter Maintenance: — How often do you maintenance the media in your filter? What kind of media do you have? In what order from the intake is the different media housed in the filter? How full is it? How do you clean it? They can be nasty to the water column if not maintained properly. Overall bioload: — How many tank mates do you have, what size tank, what size filter, what kind of filter?
What are the bioload parameters for each animal in your tank. They could be three 9 inch oscars in a 20 high. Water cloudier? I have a very large Oranda goldfish.
He ate my snails. I bought two Chinese algae eaters which he also ate. There may have been a issue inngenes some fish just pass early could have inbred or just natural cause. Be careful with the shrimp, some fish will eat them…found out the hard way when I found my Red-Eye Tetra enjoying its meal.
Plecostomus varieties usually need certain things in their diet like wood to help with digestion. This wont cause a sudden death but rather cause a break down in them over a long period of time of slow deterioration. I dont think this is likely in your case. Goldfish are dirty fish. Plecos are dirty fish.
Most likely the temperature and the waste is your issue over time. A high nitrate level causes slow health issues over time. A ammonia spike cause sudden health issues such as swim disorders and appetite loss. Provided cover driftwood for any pleco species or plants for the rest and if you go with common bristlenose if you get a male and female and place a cave in they will readily breed for you.
I had the exact same problem! I had a wonderful Place for around 3 years, bought him the size of my finger and he grew to around 25 centimetres and lived in a 50 gal with 3 goldfish as well before he died. My theory was that he was just getting older and his lifespan was coming to an end, or that the goldfish would suck up some of his pellets and maybe that while it was ok when he was smaller, it became a problem as he got older and needed more?
It really is strange though and I was also scared by the death as his condition and his colour just deteriorated over the timespan of less than a week! He also had a massive filter. I have thousands of them in my filter to prove it.
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