Algae eating fish
Algae can be hazardous for fishes, but there are some fishes that require algae for their survival. Algae eating fish helps to keep algae under control in an aquarium. The cause of algae in a fish tank can be widespread. It can be cause due to excess lightening, excess plant nutrients or due to poor water quality. One can easily fight algae in their aquarium by keeping algae eating fish in their tank. It is difficult to mention name of all algae eating fish. Therefore, name of some common algae eating fish are mentioned below.
Common algae eating fish:
1. Siamese Algae eaters: It is a great choice for an algae fish tank. The standard size of this fish is 3.5 inch. This fish helps to clean the algae from the aquarium wall without damaging the decoration of the aquarium. One should be careful if he has delicate plants in his aquarium because fish can cause some harm to those plants. This type of fish likes to eat algae and leftover food in the tank floor. They are quite peaceful in nature therefore they require calm and small fishes company.
2. Otocinclus Catfish: This fish is commonly known as otos. This fish starts eating algae at its beginning stage. This fish will quickly devour algae from your tank. Try to keep this fish in a group. This fish can be skittish and hide if kept alone in the tank. They require algae for their survival. Ensure that if you have profoundly planted aquarium then you must put one otocinclus fish for every gallon of water. These fish required excess algae in their diet. You can also add sinking pellets, algae pellets, zucchini, cucumber and lettuce in your tank for the fish to eat.
3. Plecostomus fish: It is commonly known as Armor Plated Catfish. It is one of the most popular algae eating fish. They require good amount of algae in their diet. You can also provide other supplements as well in your tank like - sinking pellets, algae pellets, zucchini, cucumber and lettuce for fish to eat. It is quite affable in nature and can easily get along with any other fish.
4. Algae eating shrimp: This fish is also a good option for an algae fish tank. It usually eats black Brush algae, hair algae, and the normal soft green algae in the tank. This fish should be kept with small and serene fish as it is quite sensitive.
5. Florida flag fish: It is commonly known as FFF. This fish loves eating hair algae. The temperament of this varies form fish to fish. They can be aggressive and can be peaceful as well.
The above mentioned types of algae eating fish will help you to choose best fish for an algae fish tank. There are many more such kinds of fishes that can easily survive in an algae fish tank. One can easily avoid algae in the fish tank by changing water regularly, proper lightening and by proper doses of plant nutrients.