For keeping your aquarium clean from algae or to overcome the outbreak of algae, you should have algae eater in your tank. In this article you will get the detail about the algae eaters in detail.
Algae Eater
Algae eater is the mostly used name for the for the bottom dwelling species. The another common name used for filter feeding and bottom dwelling aquatic fish is Algivore. These aquatic animals specifically feed on algae and phytoplankton. Algae eaters are important for the fish keepers to them in there aquariums to improves the water quality. Moreover, they are primary consumers and helps the aquatic ecosystem to fight against the algae blooms.
Here is the list of some algae eaters which are mentioned as following:
Freshwater Fish
Reticulated Hillstream Loach Algae Eater
Reticulated Hillstream Loach is one of the known algae eater. The reticulated hillstream loach scientifically known as Sewellia lineolata. This fish specie is native of Thua Thien-Hua and Quang Nam in Vietnam. This fish belongs to the family of Gastromyzontidae. This algae eater fish found in fast-flowing and highly oxygenated head water and it is the special fin of tiger finned fish. The reticulated hillstream loach is 6.4 cm and lives approximatly 10 years. The water condition for them should be 68F-75F and are best to keep in 50 gallon tank. They feed on good quality sinking food such repashy gel food. Moreover their griping ability can easy easily clean the large surface aquarium walls, rocks and broad plants leaves.
Otocinclus Catfish
Another known algae eater is Otocinclus catfish native of South America and also known as “Dwarf Sucker”. This Otocinclus is from the group of catfish and belongs to the family of Loricariidae. This is an famous aquarium fish which is commonly prized for their algae eating quality. This fish is famous for their amazing colors and unique marking patterns. Moreover, this fish grows 1.2-1.6 inches maximum, the care of the fish is minimal. This fish feed on variety of food supplements and algae wafers. The major portion of their diet should include high quality algae which is necessary for them. The dwarf sucker is not just a tank cleaner, also a charming fish that adds elegance and beauty in tanks.
Siamese Algae Eater
Siamese algae eater is scientifically known as Crossocheilus oblongus. This fish specie is native of South Asia, found in Chao Phraya, Mekong and Malay Peninsula. This fish belongs to the family of Cyprinidae. This is another commonly know algae eater fish. The Siamese algae eater is 6 inches (15cm) and lives approximately 10 years. The water condition for them should be 75F-79F and are best to keep in 20 gallon tank. Their downturn mouth are well suited to eat hair algae, beard algae and also left over scrap from tanks.
Shrimps
Amano Shrimp Algae Eater
Amano shrimp scientifically known as Caridina multidentata. This fish name after the Takashi Amano, he used this shrimp to keep tank clean. This fish is native of Southwestern Japan and Taiwan. Moreover, this specie belongs to the family of Atyidae. It has a clear color with a tan of gray blue tint with solid strip at the down side of back. The tank size is 10 gallon, they also do well in 5 gallon. Also add lots of aquarium plants, to stabilize the water conditions. The prefer to live in pH water of 6.0-8.0, the soft to hard water, with the parameters of 65-82 degree fahrenhiets. They should be feed with a wide variety of foods such as blanched vegetable, plant matters and algae. To encourage algae eating you have to reduce the feeding of other food. They can eat hair algae, thread algae and beard algae. This fish have cleaning quality they clean the tight spaces and corners.
Cherry Shrimp
Cherry shrimp scientifically known as Neocaridina davidi. This is a fresh water shrimp originate from east China, Korea Peninsula and Taiwan. Moreover, this specie belongs to the family of Atyidae. Mostly they have clear color, but now a days many color are available in market, like red, yellow, blue etc. Dur to its red color this fish is name as cherry red. This chrimp grow up to 1.5 inches to its length. The ideal tank size is 10 gallon or larger tank. The prefer to live in pH water of 6.5-8.5, the soft to hard water. They should be feed with wide variety of foods such as sinking sticks, repashy gel food, hikari shrimp, plant matter and algae. They provide maintenance against the algae and waste food.
Snails
Nerite snail
Nerite snail algae eater is famous for their algae eating ability. This snail is originate from costal areas from Africa and Indo pacific region. Moreover, this specie belongs to the family of Neritidae. This snail have attractive shell pattern, strips and spots and have brown, black and yellow color. They are small having rounded and glossy shell. They grow 1 to 2 inches in length and can live for about 1-2 years. The ideal tank size for theses nano snails are 2-3 gallon. The prefer to live in wide range of temperature, pH level of water7.0 with high amount of minerals. They feed algae wafers, easy shrimps and snail shells and blanched zucchini slices. Feed them with snail shells help them in development of healthy shells.
Conclusion
Algae eater is helpful in maintaining and cleaning the aquariums. The Reticulated Hillstream Loach, Nerite snail, Cherry shrimp and other mentioned algae eater offers unique and distinct features to control algae. These algae eaters not only controls the algae but also improves the water quality and enhance the beauty of tank. As well as they help to maintain the health of aquatic ecosystem. Make sure to choose the right algae eater according to your tank, water condition and also what type of algae is present in your tank.
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