I need an algae eater

[KuhliDude]

Hello, I have a ten gallon (40 liter) aquarium and wanted to get some kind of algae eater. Preferably a fish rather than a shrimp or snail. It is a planted aquarium with a honey gourami and two kuhli loaches, I do plan to get some more when I find them.

I was thinking of a clown pleco, stiphodon gobi, or a hillstream loach, but am not too sure. I would appreciate any help I can get and thanks.

 

[Essjay]

The tank is too small for any algae eating fish, I'm afraid. The pleco gets too big and the others need to be in a shoal.
Hillstream loaches, besides needing a shoal, also need fast flowing water cooler than the other fish can cope with. Stiphodons also need fast flowing water - fast flowing water contains more oxygen which these fish need. But a gourami needs slow moving water, so is not compatible with stiphodons or hillstream loaches.

No fish, snail or shrimp will eat every type of algae. The best way to approach this is to find out why you have algae and remedy the cause. Too much algae is usually caused by having the light on too long, especially when there are no live plants, or an imbalance in fertiliser if there are live plants.

 

[MollyMan1]

The tank is too small for any algae eating fish, I'm afraid. The pleco gets too big and the others need to be in a shoal.
Hillstream loaches, besides needing a shoal, also need fast flowing water cooler than the other fish can cope with. Stiphodons also need fast flowing water - fast flowing water contains more oxygen which these fish need. But a gourami needs slow moving water, so is not compatible with stiphodons or hillstream loaches.

No fish, snail or shrimp will eat every type of algae. The best way to approach this is to find out why you have algae and remedy the cause. Too much algae is usually caused by having the light on too long, especially when there are no live plants, or an imbalance in fertiliser if there are live plants.

I have a otto cat in my 5 gallon and he is happy. I just keep the algae at a moderate amount and he is healthy and has been in there for months now.

 

[Essjay]

The trouble is that otos are shoaling fish so they need to be in a group.

 

[MollyMan1]

The trouble is that otos are shoaling fish so they need to be in a group.

Is it crucial? Or does it just help them be happy?

 

[Essjay]

It helps keep them healthier. This applies to all shoaling fish. They are programmed to expect others of the same species in the immediate vicinity and when there aren't any, single, or even 2 or 3 fish, can become stressed.

 

[Byron]

Is it crucial? Or does it just help them be happy?

It helps their well-being, they will be less stressed, and all that means healthier. A freshwater fish species that we term "shoaling" or "schooling" means they need companions of their own species. Scientific studies have now proven that when denied this basic expectation, it does significantly affect the individual fish. Unfortunately, the aqua4ist is usually unable to recognize this because there are no external indicators until it is too late. We cannot ever know the fish is "happy" because we cannot communicate with it. But we can assume that if we provide the fish with what is has evolved to expect, it will more likely be healthy and "happy."

Many think that because their fish is/are swimming, eating and even spawning that all is well. No. These are not indicators of good health because the primary goal of all species is to reproduce, so the fish will do everything it can to achieve this. The fish will make the most it can of the conditions we give it, regardless, until it no longer can cope.

 

[sharkweek178]

Is it crucial? Or does it just help them be happy?

It's crucial. Shoaling is a defensive behavior against predators. It's hardwired into the fish. A fish that isn't living in a sufficiently sized shoal is living in fear of being eaten all the time. We might know that the fish has nothing to fear from predators. But the fish doesn't know that. They'll be in constant stress.

 

[KuhliDude]

I mostly wanted an algae eater because I think their cute rather than I have an algae problem.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I mostly wanted an algae eater because I think their cute rather than I have an algae problem.

Then I wouldn't get one, none would work in a tank that size anyway, as already mentioned

Try a snail or two, instead...interesting behavior, fun to keep...and not hyperactive...lol

Many find them to be "cute", as well...

 

[Animallover😍]

Then I wouldn't get one, none would work in a tank that size anyway, as already mentioned

Try a snail or two, instead...interesting behavior, fun to keep...and not hyperactive...lol

Many find them to be "cute", as well...

I’ve always had bladder snails that got in my tank with some plants, and they have been helpful to eat any uneaten food and eat dead shrimp that I don’t notice. They suck at eating algae though. They eat minuscule amounts

 

[sharkweek178]

I’ve always had bladder snails that got in my tank with some plants, and they have been helpful to eat any uneaten food and eat dead shrimp that I don’t notice. They suck at eating algae though. They eat minuscule amounts

I've found that the main disadvantage is that they leave snail poop all over the place.

 

[KuhliDude]

Is there an algae eating fish that dwells at the bottom and can be in a ten gallon aquarium.
Does that description match a fish?

 

[sharkweek178]

Is there an algae eating fish that dwells at the bottom and can be in a ten gallon aquarium.
Does that description match a fish?

I can't think of any. Algae eater fish are either too big for a 10 gallon or they need to be in a shoal (which will be too many for a 10 gallon).
Although technically, platies eat algae. But they don't subsist off it. And they don't stay at the bottom.

 

[Byron]

It may be helpful to point out that there are many different species of algae. There is no freshwater fish that will eat all of these. But there are none suited to a 10g that I can think of anyway.

From post #1 there is a honey gourami and two kuhlii loaches. The loaches are shoaling, and you should have 3 or 4 more. Not what anyone would normally advise for a 10g, but the poor fish have inherent needs and they are not being met, and this is not good for the fish.