algae eaters overused or over-prescribed?

[noelberg]

i want to cause a stir i just lost my pleco and since we don't get any interesting types for small tanks around here, i was debating whether or not i should get another

and i realized that my tank never had algae yet other than a bit of the brown stuff here and there...

then i thought how every lfs i go into there's always somebody getting a new tank and an employee says "you'll need a pleco to clean algae"

 

[ryan]

I think this is a common problem, too many lfs shops recommend a Pleco to inexperienced fish keepers and say it will eat all their algae. However, he doesn't know what type of algae it is or if it is even algae and the buyer doesn't know he has to feed the fish a varied diet not just algae and tank left overs and is often unaware of the potentail size of his/her new fish. Even in shops which sell rarer L-Number Plecs I have seen people come in and see a fish with a sucker mouth and from previous experiences with Common and Bristlenose Plecs etc buy it thinking all it needs is algae when infact in most cases they won't touch algae and prefer a more meatier diet including bloodworms etc.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I agree with ryan. Many plecs do not eat algae, those who do might only be a certain type or for a certain time. Other plecs grow massive and people often do not know of it.

I also think that many people fail to try to get to the root of an algae problem. IMO a little is natural but too much signals a problem with light or waste which will not be addressed.

 

[Teelie]

Even if you had an algae problem, Plecos aren't the answer. Nor are Oto's, or snails, or shrimp. The best way to treat algae is to adjust the lighting, either less or more (as is the case with brown algae) and clean it yourself.

I like Plecos but I'm not going to get one to do any algae cleaning as they can only clean so much and you still have to do it yourself anyways.

I'm going to get some true Butterfly Plecos asap but I won't rely on algae on the glass to feed them. One of the two types doesn't even eat algae.