Maintaining a spotless aquarium can be difficult, but fortunately, there are some helpful resources found in nature. If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by murky water or algal blooms, you’ll be happy to hear that harsh chemicals and constant scrubbing aren’t always necessary. Alternatively, you can rely on some amazing aquatic life that will naturally maintain a clean and healthy tank.
Fish that are great at fighting algae problems are the otocinclus catfish and the Siamese algae eater. These little guys are hard workers who nibble away at algae, keeping your tank clear, in addition to being attractive to look at. They work particularly well in those difficult areas where algae has a tendency to grow obstinately.
Remember the importance of shrimp to the ecosystem in your tank. Shrimp from freshwater species, such as amano or cherry shrimp, are great at cleaning up debris and scavenging leftover food. Their ongoing foraging contributes to less waste buildup, which improves the quality of the water in your aquarium.
While they have their own set of considerations, snails are still a fantastic alternative. Popular choices that work wonders for clearing debris and algae are mystery and nerite snails. Just be mindful that certain snail species can proliferate quickly, so it’s wise to monitor their numbers.
Including these all-natural cleaners in your aquarium setup can greatly simplify and improve maintenance. A balanced and healthy aquatic environment can be achieved by combining different types of cleaners according to the needs of your tank, as each has advantages and disadvantages of its own.
Type | Description |
Fish | Some fish help clean aquariums by eating algae and detritus. Examples include the Siamese algae eater and certain catfish like the Otocinclus. |
Shrimp | Freshwater shrimp like the Amano shrimp are great for eating algae and cleaning up leftover food in the tank. |
Snails | Snails such as the Nerite snail and Mystery snail help keep tanks clean by eating algae and debris. |
Fighting Algae | To combat algae, you can use fish, shrimp, snails, or even algae-eating products like algae scrubbers and chemical treatments. |
Fish that fight algae
The most common locations for these "cleaning workers" are hobby aquariums.
Catfish
The following are thought to be particularly effective "cleaners":
- pterygoplichthys (brocade catfish);
- common ancistrus;
- otocinclus (dwarf catfish), which prefers diatoms.
They use their suction cup to remove all traces of bacterial film, algae fouling, and other organic matter that pollutes the environment. They begin by cleaning the walls of the aquarium, then move on to the dirt, stones, snags, and large plant leaves. They are definitely a plus because, at the same time, they are fairly modest.
- For example, an adult pterygoplichthys can grow up to 40-45 cm and begin to behave aggressively towards other inhabitants.
- With an insufficient amount of food, some owners of the “suction cup” may begin to feed the mucus of clumsy large fish, which attack under cover of night.
- Sometimes catfish, overly keen on cleaning, damage young tender plant tops or make holes in young leaves.
- And some individuals with age begin to be lazy and poorly perform their "duties".
Brown diatoms are the easiest for dwarf catfish, also known as otocinclus, an algae-eating member of the chainmail catfish family. A 100-liter aquarium can be easily maintained clean by a school of five fish. The "dwarf" is amiable, calm, and can coexist with larger predators.
The "janitor," a member of the chainmail catfish family that is less common but does not make matters worse: the royal panak. A large fish that requires an aquarium that holds 200 liters or more. When people are young, they are calm, but as they get older, their character starts to show. Get along great with calm characters. Panak is the best at cleaning snags.
The prickly catfish uses its sucker to remove fouling from surfaces.
Gyrinocheilidae
There are only three fish species in this family, Gyrinocheilus being the most well-known.
Their lips have internal folds that resemble a suction cup. These curves create a "grater"-like shape.
This design allows the fish to scrape algae off the surface of the stones while remaining on them even in strong currents.
Because of the low nutritional value of this food, Gyrinocheilus must "scrape" a lot.
Adverse features consist of
- damage to leaves, on which grooves and holes may remain after "cleaning";
- a small number of fish is not enough to maintain cleanliness in the aquarium;
- in large numbers they are aggressive and constantly attack their own kind, as they are territorial.
Bringing them to peace is an extremely challenging task. Additionally, you should be very selective about your neighbors; slow fish are strictly prohibited.
They can "clean" and cause significant harm to the scales, but Gyrinocheilus treat them as inanimate objects. Additionally, they treat animals with dark coloring and an elongated body poorly; they view these animals as brothers and make every effort to drive them away.
Viviparous
Many of them possess a highly developed lower jaw that works like a scraper to remove plaque from plants, walls, and soil with ease.
Guppies, mollies, pecilia, and swordtails are the most common live-bearing cleaner species. According to some breeders, these fish can live solely on green thread algae and not require any other food.
However, because they are so hesitant to consume undesired fouling, they are only useful as helpers for other algae eaters.
Guppies are viviparous fish.
Carp
The Siamese algae eater, also known as Crossocheil Siamese, Crossochelius Siamese, or Siamese Epalceorhynchus, is the most tenacious adversary of algae within this family.
Green algae and the so-called "Vietnamese" or "black beard"—growths that resemble dark smears on stones, plant leaves, and other surfaces—are his pastimes.
Additionally, because its mouth is best suited for handling fluff, it also does well with other types of algae. It takes just two Siamese algae eaters—even the tiniest ones—to maintain a 100-liter aquarium spotless.
These fish also have the advantages of being active, mobile, having a generally calm temperament, requiring little maintenance, and having a small vessel for daily life.
It did not come without drawbacks. If the fish grow Java moss in the aquarium, they can start eating it much more willingly than algae once their length exceeds 4 centimeters.
Additionally, it has been observed that Siamese algae eaters eventually grow accustomed to eating fish and eventually lose interest in fouling entirely.
Green (Frenatus) and Labeo bicolor (bicolor) are two more "cleaners" from this family. Their oral apparatus is positioned lower. They do, of course, consume fouling and algae, but not nearly as much as the ones before. It’s more like a pastime for them. Their main drawback is that they are more territorial and aggressive toward other fish as well as members of their own species.
In its usual pose, a Siamese eater eating algae. Examine the fish closely and make a note of its appearance because pet stores frequently sell fish of different species under the same name.
Fish, shrimp, and snails are examples of aquarium cleaners that are essential to preserving a healthy and balanced tank environment because they clean debris and regulate the growth of algae. Each species of these natural cleaners offers a distinct advantage for your aquarium, making them an environmentally friendly substitute for chemical solutions. Fish that eat algae, shrimp that resemble cherry shrimp, and snails that resemble nerites all contribute to the vibrant and clean appearance of your tank, lowering maintenance costs and fostering a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Algae-fighting shrimp
It is appropriate to refer to these arthropods as "champions of cleanliness." Because they have unique "fans" on their bodies, freshwater shrimp are particularly delicious.
These growths filter the water, removing leftover food, plant debris, and the bodies of deceased residents. Males filter the rising turbidity and loosen the soil at the same time. Females clean the underside of things.
These animals not only filter water but also, and far more successfully than fish, remove shaggy algae from plant leaves and all other surfaces.
The explanation is straightforward: shrimp, particularly cherry shrimp, can fit into even the tiniest spaces within aquariums.
- a small shrimp can only cope with a small amount of work;
- to keep the aquarium really clean, you will need a lot of shrimp (one individual per liter);
- they are very defenseless and can be eaten by fish, as a result of which neighbors must be selected especially carefully, plus create many reliable shelters.
Apart from cherry shrimp, amano shrimp are also effective in combating algae. Cladorf balls consume filamentous algae and are impeccably clean.
Crucial! The efficiency of their "work" is impacted by their size. The harder the algae threads that the shrimp can consume, the bigger it gets. The best arthropods are those that measure four centimeters.
For 200 l, 5 of these pieces will do. For every ten liters of water, one three-centimeter one will be required. More tiny ones—one or two per liter—will be required. The final choice is the most costly and least effective. It’s also important to remember that xenococcus and other green algae in the form of plaque are not consumed by these shrimps. Reluctantly, black beard is also consumed.
Neocaridina is an additional type. Because they are so simple to breed, they are the most popular among enthusiasts. You will need a large number of "combat units" (one individual per liter) because they are tiny, only 1-2 cm long. Soft filamentous algae like Rhizoclinium are preferred. The best option for planted aquariums is Neocaridina. They are also essential for maintaining equilibrium in a recently opened aquarium. In an adult one, they stay in equilibrium.
Selecting appropriate cleaners is crucial for maintaining the best possible condition for an aquarium. Each species—fish, shrimp, and snails—brings special abilities to the table that aid in controlling algae and preserving an ecosystem in balance. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cleaner will help you select the one that will work best for your aquarium.
Algae-eating fish are excellent in larger aquariums because they can help manage algae growth through continuous grazing. They put forth a lot of effort to maintain surfaces clean, but if algae isn’t sufficient to keep them alive, they might require additional feeding. It is crucial to make sure the fish you select get along with the other fish and the environment of your tank.
However, shrimp are smaller and frequently more adaptable. They can assist in clearing debris that fish might overlook and are very good at fitting into small spaces. Popular options for freshwater shrimp are Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp, which add some color and interest to the tank while also keeping it cleaner.
One should be aware that snails have two sides. They can reproduce quickly, which can occasionally result in an overpopulation issue, despite the fact that they are highly efficient at cleaning up leftover food and eating algae. Selecting snail species that are appropriate for the size and conditions of your tank will help control their population.
Finding the ideal balance is ultimately what keeps an aquarium clean and healthy. Fish, shrimp, and snails work well together to help control algae and other detritus. Every one of them plays a specific role, and knowing their advantages and disadvantages will help you maintain the best-looking aquarium possible.