Suggestions for cleanup crew?

[Bol]

I could use some suggestions for scavengers (and/or algae eaters) for the following setup:

46 gallon bowfront tank (36" long, 18" high, 12->15->12" 'deep')
Fairly heavily planted
Gravel substrate (2-4mm size?)
GH=19
KH=10
pH=7.8
78 degrees

Other fish that will be in the tank:

1 angel
1 dwarf gourami
2 platys
2 guppies
10 neon tetras

By my calculations, the above list is around 30 'fish-inches' (the angel is still pretty small, and if it reaches anything close to full size, will move to another tank).

I would really like to get some Kuhlii loaches, and the LFS is expecting a shipment of them in about two weeks.

Also, it would seem (to a newbie ) to be wise to have at least some form of algae-eating fish in there. I would rather not have snails. From what I've read, it seems that oto cats might fill this bill.

So, some questions...

1) Is having an algea-eating fish (or three) a significant benefit?
2) Will scavengers, like Kuhliis and Corys, take care of some of the algae cleanup?
3) Why does it seem that many people dislike Siamese Algae Eaters?

I'm thinking some comination of Kuhlii/oto/cory (in two's or three's) would probably be a good solution. I'd like to try to keep it to a total of about 10-12 'fish-inches', though, to leave a little room for that 'must have' fish I know is lingering around the corner.

So, ... any suggestions?

 

[Alien Anna]

I've no idea why people would dislike Siamese Algae Eaters, but many people dislike Chinese Algae Eaters (a totally different fish) because:
1. They don't eat much algae once full-grown.
2. They are highly aggressive and territorial and will kill everything in your tank (unless you keep them with other aggressive fish).
3. "Full grown" can be over a foot long!

CAEs are also known as "sucking loaches", "golden algae eaters" and a variety of other names. Beware the CAE!

SAEs, OTOH, are ideal community fish. Grow to about 4-5" and eat every kind of algae, even beard algae. They are schooling fish, so you'd need at least 3, but they'd fit in well to most aquaria. I have mine in a molly and guppy tank. The SAE is assertive enough to cope with my fairly aggressive male sailfin molly, but doesn't even touch the molly fry. They like to swim so make sure you have plenty of swimming room. Their biggest problem is their scarcity - it can be a nightmare trying to find a school of them and there are many similar species that can be confused for them (so that even dealers get the wrong species sometimes).

Another fish to consider is the ottocinclus catfish, a pygmy fish with a suckermouth who likes eating fresh, green and brown algae. Ottos need to be in schools (perhaps even more so than SAEs).

My favourite personally is the bristlenosed plec. Grows to about 3-4 inches and is extremely elusive, but they have quite a bit of character. You want either a singleton or a pair (buy the pair at the same time to make sure you have identical species). Bristlenoses will help keep your algae down and will also scavenge.

You might also want to consider snail eaters if you have live plants - the yoyo loach is probably the most readily available, although its smaller cousin, the chain loach (or pygmy botia) is even better if space is at a premium.