Discover the best algae-eating creatures to bust an algae outbreak in your aquarium. We’ll share essential care tips, compatibility advice, and effective strategies to maintain a clean and thriving aquatic environment.
[00:00:00] Welcome to this episode of The Aquarist's Edge, a podcast for home aquarists just like you.
[00:00:06] Learn more about how to keep a thriving aquarium and discover ideas and tips to give your aquarium the edge.
[00:00:12] And now, over to our host, Arthur Preston.
[00:00:18] You walk up to your tank to enjoy seeing the fish and the serenity of your aquarium,
[00:00:25] and all you see instead is a bunch of algae everywhere.
[00:00:29] Green on the glass, green hair algae everywhere in the crevices between the driftwood and the rocks.
[00:00:37] You see tufts of blackbeard algae growing on your plants, just not what you wanted to see.
[00:00:45] And there's really a desire for most home aquarists to rid their tank of unwanted algae.
[00:00:53] And while there is an argument to be made for algae in your tank,
[00:00:56] and that's perhaps a topic for another episode,
[00:00:59] for most home aquarists, there's a real desire to get rid of it.
[00:01:04] And sure, we can go and we can look at chemical solutions,
[00:01:07] but those come with their own problems.
[00:01:09] So, how do we clean our tank with all this algae?
[00:01:13] In this episode, we're going to take a look at some algae busters,
[00:01:16] fish and other animals that help us take care of our tanks in terms of ridding it,
[00:01:22] or ridding them of algae.
[00:01:24] So, let's start by asking the question, what actually is algae,
[00:01:28] and why is it such a big deal?
[00:01:31] Well, at every base level, algae are just simple aquatic plants
[00:01:34] that can quickly take over your tank if they're not managed properly.
[00:01:38] They can block lights, they can deplete oxygen,
[00:01:41] and they can even harm your fish.
[00:01:43] Here are some common reasons that algae grow.
[00:01:47] Firstly, there's overfeeding.
[00:01:49] When you feed your fish too much,
[00:01:50] the excess food decomposes and provides nutrients for the algae.
[00:01:54] The same can be said for insufficient water changes.
[00:01:57] Not changing the water regularly can lead to a buildup of nutrients as well.
[00:02:01] But the most obvious one, and probably the one that's most known,
[00:02:04] is too much light.
[00:02:06] Algae love light.
[00:02:07] So, if your tank is getting too much direct sunlight,
[00:02:10] or if you're using high-intensity aquarium lights,
[00:02:13] this can spur the algae growth.
[00:02:15] So, let's ask the question,
[00:02:17] how can we get rid of this pesky algae in our tanks?
[00:02:21] Well, let's start with one of the most popular
[00:02:24] and effective algae eaters available.
[00:02:26] And that is the Bristlenose precostomus,
[00:02:28] or the Bristlenose pleco,
[00:02:29] or for those who like shortcuts, the BNP.
[00:02:32] These are small, armored catfish
[00:02:34] that are known for their unique appearance.
[00:02:36] They have bristle-like appendages on their heads,
[00:02:39] they've got a flat body,
[00:02:40] and they are fascinating creatures to watch in your tank.
[00:02:44] They're excellent grazers.
[00:02:46] They consume a number of types of algae,
[00:02:49] including greenspot algae,
[00:02:51] diatom algae,
[00:02:52] and brown algae.
[00:02:53] They're grazing for medium-sized tanks,
[00:02:55] probably around 90 litres or so,
[00:02:57] would be probably a good start.
[00:03:00] And they prefer to stay near the bottom of the tank,
[00:03:02] close to hiding spaces,
[00:03:04] like small caves,
[00:03:05] and pieces of driftwood.
[00:03:07] So make sure to keep your Bristlenose plecos feeling secure,
[00:03:11] and non-stressed in your tank.
[00:03:14] Ensure that they have enough hiding places,
[00:03:16] and consider supplementing their diet
[00:03:18] with specific precostomous food,
[00:03:21] sinking pellets.
[00:03:23] They do greats with blanched vegetables,
[00:03:26] spinach,
[00:03:27] and so forth.
[00:03:28] They're really pretty easy to keep,
[00:03:30] and they do a fantastic job in your tank,
[00:03:32] in terms of helping clear the glass,
[00:03:33] and your aquarium in totality of algae.
[00:03:37] Well,
[00:03:37] the next one is one that is easily confused with some other fish,
[00:03:41] and that is the Siamese algae eater.
[00:03:43] It's also a highly effective and popular choice.
[00:03:46] They have an incredibly voracious appetite for many types of algae,
[00:03:50] including hair algae,
[00:03:52] and blackbeard algae.
[00:03:54] I recently had an outbreak of blackbeard in one of my tanks.
[00:03:57] I put two Siamese algae eaters in there,
[00:04:00] and within a couple of days,
[00:04:02] all the blackbeard algae was taken care of.
[00:04:04] They're best suited to medium to large tanks,
[00:04:07] and they're active and they're social,
[00:04:09] but they can become territorial,
[00:04:11] so rather keep them in groups to reduce their aggression.
[00:04:14] They tend to eat more algae when they're younger,
[00:04:16] and as they get older,
[00:04:17] they start to eat more of the food
[00:04:20] that you're feeding your fish.
[00:04:21] The most effective Siamese algae eaters
[00:04:23] are in fact your young ones.
[00:04:25] They do grow quite big,
[00:04:26] and I have one particularly large one
[00:04:28] in one of my tanks in the fish room,
[00:04:30] and when I have people visit,
[00:04:31] they often ask me what is that fish,
[00:04:32] and when I tell them,
[00:04:34] they find it hard to believe
[00:04:35] that it is in fact an SAE or a Siamese algae eater,
[00:04:38] because the ones we see in the pet shops
[00:04:39] tend to be juveniles.
[00:04:42] While we're talking about catfish and so forth,
[00:04:45] what about the otters?
[00:04:47] The otter sinkers.
[00:04:49] These are great in smaller tanks.
[00:04:51] They feed on soft green algae,
[00:04:52] and they're very effective at cleaning the glass
[00:04:54] and plant leaves.
[00:04:56] They are also suitable for smaller tanks,
[00:04:58] but they're best kept in groups
[00:05:01] to ensure their well-being,
[00:05:03] a bit like keeping corries in groups as well.
[00:05:06] They have a sizable appetite,
[00:05:08] so if the algae is lacking,
[00:05:10] then supplement their diet with vegetarian options,
[00:05:15] your baby marrows,
[00:05:17] blanched veggies, as I said earlier on as well,
[00:05:20] for the plecos.
[00:05:21] They also prefer well-oxygenated water,
[00:05:23] and a temperature range of about 22 to 26, 27 degrees.
[00:05:29] If you're looking for something a little bit different,
[00:05:31] you could also look at the hill stream loach.
[00:05:34] I heard them described the other day as mini stingrays.
[00:05:38] Not entirely accurate,
[00:05:39] but they really are fascinating creatures.
[00:05:41] They're quite different to look at.
[00:05:43] They lie flat against the glass,
[00:05:44] they spread themselves out,
[00:05:46] and they're just a lot of fun.
[00:05:47] They're excellent at consuming flat types of algae,
[00:05:50] like diatom algae,
[00:05:51] and they're very good at cleaning large flat surfaces,
[00:05:55] such as the glass of the aquarium itself,
[00:05:58] aquarium rocks,
[00:05:59] and broad plant leaves.
[00:06:01] They can live in smaller to medium-sized tanks,
[00:06:04] but they're best in cooler waters
[00:06:06] with a more stable pH.
[00:06:08] They can also be territorial,
[00:06:10] so rather keep them either keep one loach
[00:06:12] or three loaches in a group.
[00:06:15] Also feed them high-quality sinking foods
[00:06:18] and ensure they have lots of hiding places
[00:06:20] and stable water conditions.
[00:06:24] But now what about something other than a fish?
[00:06:26] What about snails?
[00:06:28] Well, many of the snails are pest snails,
[00:06:31] and we know that can become difficult to manage.
[00:06:33] So I would rather suggest
[00:06:35] that you look at the near-right snails.
[00:06:37] What's great about these
[00:06:38] is they don't breed in freshwater,
[00:06:39] so you don't have to worry about overpopulation.
[00:06:42] They are highly effective
[00:06:44] at devouring algae on glass,
[00:06:46] on rocks, and on plant leaves.
[00:06:47] They're very peaceful,
[00:06:48] and they're really low-maintenance.
[00:06:51] Just ensure they have a balanced diet
[00:06:52] and a variety of surfaces to graze on.
[00:06:55] So those are the near-right snails,
[00:06:57] and they come in all different colors
[00:06:58] and designs as well.
[00:07:01] Last but not least,
[00:07:03] we have our shrimp.
[00:07:04] Now, yes, your neocaridina
[00:07:06] and your other shrimp
[00:07:07] are able to graze on algae,
[00:07:09] absolutely,
[00:07:10] but the king of the algae-eater shrimp
[00:07:12] is the Amanos.
[00:07:13] These are fantastic
[00:07:15] at cleaning your tank of algae.
[00:07:16] They have a voracious appetite
[00:07:18] for any type of algae,
[00:07:19] including blackbeard and hair algae.
[00:07:21] Because they are small,
[00:07:23] they can get into narrow gaps
[00:07:25] between rocks and so forth,
[00:07:26] and they can grab algae
[00:07:27] that the other algae-eaters can't reach.
[00:07:30] They're very tolerant
[00:07:31] to changes in water parameters,
[00:07:33] and they're really not that expensive.
[00:07:34] Just make sure your tank
[00:07:35] has lots of hiding places
[00:07:37] and restricted passages
[00:07:38] for them to thrive in.
[00:07:39] A group of at least four is recommended
[00:07:41] if you want to make a dent
[00:07:42] in your algae growth.
[00:07:44] So those are a couple of algae-busters,
[00:07:46] natural algae-busters,
[00:07:47] you can use in your tank.
[00:07:49] But here are some general care tips
[00:07:51] to keep in mind.
[00:07:53] Make sure that the algae-eaters
[00:07:54] you choose are compatible
[00:07:55] with your existing fish
[00:07:56] and your tank conditions.
[00:07:58] For example,
[00:07:59] the Siamese algae-eaters
[00:08:00] and other territorial fish
[00:08:01] should probably be kept separately.
[00:08:04] Make sure your tank's large enough
[00:08:05] to accommodate the adult size
[00:08:06] of their algae-eaters.
[00:08:08] A brusseless plecos,
[00:08:09] while not as big as the normal plecos,
[00:08:11] they do get quite large,
[00:08:13] and make sure that your tank
[00:08:14] is able to accommodate their growth.
[00:08:17] Some algae-eaters
[00:08:18] may need supplemental feeding,
[00:08:20] especially if there's not enough
[00:08:21] algae in your tank.
[00:08:22] If they've done a good job,
[00:08:24] then it's possible
[00:08:25] that the algae in your tank
[00:08:27] is limited,
[00:08:28] and so make sure
[00:08:29] that you are feeding them
[00:08:30] beyond just supposing
[00:08:33] that they're eating the algae.
[00:08:34] There are way too many
[00:08:35] of these fish that you find
[00:08:37] in fish tanks
[00:08:37] that are chronically underfed
[00:08:39] and malnourished
[00:08:40] because the owners have simply,
[00:08:41] or the fish keepers have simply
[00:08:42] put them in the tank
[00:08:43] expecting them to clean the algae
[00:08:45] and then just let them
[00:08:46] and hope that what was occurring
[00:08:48] naturally would suffice.
[00:08:50] It really doesn't,
[00:08:51] so make sure that you are
[00:08:52] feeding them additional foods.
[00:08:54] Different algae-eaters
[00:08:55] are effective against
[00:08:56] different types of algae,
[00:08:57] so choose wisely
[00:08:58] based on your tank's needs.
[00:09:00] Do a bit of homework,
[00:09:00] go onto Google,
[00:09:02] do some reading,
[00:09:03] figure out for, you know,
[00:09:04] what type of algae
[00:09:05] you have in your tank
[00:09:06] and which of the animals
[00:09:08] is best suited
[00:09:09] to clearing that up.
[00:09:11] Monitor your water parameters
[00:09:12] regularly to ensure
[00:09:13] that they are within
[00:09:14] the acceptable range
[00:09:15] for your algae-eaters.
[00:09:17] Make sure you've got
[00:09:17] hiding places,
[00:09:18] reducing,
[00:09:19] obviously reduces stress
[00:09:20] and provides algae-eaters
[00:09:22] a place to rest and hide.
[00:09:25] Avoid overcrowding.
[00:09:26] It's very tempting
[00:09:27] if you have a tank
[00:09:27] that has got a lot of algae in it
[00:09:30] to go to your local pet store,
[00:09:31] to your fish supplier
[00:09:32] and buy loads of algae-eaters.
[00:09:34] The problem with that,
[00:09:35] of course,
[00:09:35] is that when the algae's gone,
[00:09:37] then what do they eat?
[00:09:38] So rather avoid overcrowding.
[00:09:40] Just make sure that you get
[00:09:41] that natural balance
[00:09:42] in your tank.
[00:09:43] And of course,
[00:09:44] these are not miracle workers.
[00:09:46] You've still got
[00:09:46] to do your maintenance.
[00:09:47] Do your tank maintenance.
[00:09:49] Make sure you are also
[00:09:50] assisting by cleaning
[00:09:51] the glass of algae.
[00:09:52] Keep your tank clean.
[00:09:54] Siphon the debris.
[00:09:55] Change water regularly.
[00:09:56] Check your filters.
[00:09:57] All of these things
[00:09:58] maintain a balanced environment
[00:10:00] and reduce the risk
[00:10:01] of having this outbreak
[00:10:02] of algae in your tank.
[00:10:04] And there you have it.
[00:10:05] With the right algae-eating creatures,
[00:10:07] our natural algae busters,
[00:10:09] and a few simple
[00:10:11] general aquarium maintenance tips,
[00:10:13] you can keep your aquarium
[00:10:15] clean and thriving.
[00:10:17] Always remember,
[00:10:18] balance is the key.
[00:10:20] Don't overfeed.
[00:10:21] Change your water regularly
[00:10:23] and provide the right environment
[00:10:25] for your algae busters
[00:10:26] to do their job.
[00:10:29] That's it for this episode
[00:10:31] of the Aquaris Sedge.
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[00:10:42] Until next time,
[00:10:43] keep learning and discovering
[00:10:44] and keep finding
[00:10:45] your Aquaris Sedge
[00:10:46] in this captivating
[00:10:47] and fascinating hobby.