Algae Eaters–Oto, bushynose pleco, or Cory Cats for me?
by Aquaboy on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 | 4 Comments
10 gallon aquarium with no live plants and plenty of cover…i want the fish to stay small and eat algae. I have a common pleco in a 300 gallon tank, but im not sure wut is the best option to put in my daughter’s 10 gallon tank.
Cory cats are scavengers and will help keep tank clean…and WILL eat algae buddy
Well, since cory cats aren’t algae eaters let’s eliminate them from the start. Cory’s are great tank cleaners and will help clean up after overfeeding, but that’s about all that they do.
Most plecos will get too big for a 10 gal. or they will have nutritional requirements that will be difficult to satisfy.
What you may be looking for is a Chinese or Golden (Albino) Algae Eater.
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddbal1194.jpg
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Chinese%20Algae%20Eater.htm
This is a semi- aggressive fish and should not be put in with slow long tailed fish, goldfish, Bettas, etc. Otherwise with fast fish it usually OK. It doesn’t get too big and does a great job at algae cleaning and it will eat a few other things so it doesn’t clean up your ten gallon in a day and then starve for the month it takes to grow back.
One of my favorite very small algae eaters is the Otocinclus sp. This is a genus name and the fish generally doesn’t have a common pet trade name. http://aquaticconcepts.thekrib.com/Fish/Eaters.htm
It’s a seasonal fish and may be hard to get in the pet trade during about two thirds of the year, but well worth the wait.
The Flying Fox or Siamese Algae Eater is another smaller choice but still may grow too large for a 10 gal. tank.
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/cyprinid.html
Think seriously about the Otocinclus and the Chinese Algae Eater and I think you will be satisfied. Consult your fish sales rep. for the best fish for your tank.
Cory -Then why ask, I’ve been in the fish trade for 12 years and have kept aquariums most of my life, 50 years, and I love Corys as scavengers but have never seen them be efficient at algae cleaning. The’re a catfish so of course they nibble a bit of algae out of the gravel, but what do you compair them to for efficiency? You’re the one who’s going to be wiping the glass. Buddy my @$$ just try not to kill your fish.
Some otos’s would be a decent choice for an algae eater. Also may want to look into Olive Nerite snails, another good algae cleaner for small tanks.
Go with Oto Catfish they are good algae eaters and stay pretty small at 1.5″. Plus they are cuties! :]
Cory cats will nibble at algae, but they certainly won’t eat enough to make any difference to your tank. If you’re looking for something that will actuall clean some of it, oto’s are your best bet. Bristlenoses do a good job too – but growing to 6″ they can be a little much for a 10 gallon tank.