Clown plecos have strong striped patterns. Bushynose plecos develop beard-like tentacles on the face. However, if you want an algae-eater to keep with large fish, the common pleco is a good, hardy choice.įor typical community aquariums, the various species of bushynose pleco ( Ancistrus spp.) and clown pleco ( Peckoltia spp.) are better choices. Dealers sell small, inexpensive youngsters without warning that they can grow to 2-foot adults. The most popular are the various species sold as “plecos.” The namesake for the group, the common pleco ( Hypostomus plecostomus), is an excellent algae-eater but is not the best choice for most hobbyists. Various South American suckermouth catfish are effective algae-eaters. They would be fun to keep, even if they didn’t eat algae. And there are those, such as plecos, that are so ugly that it makes them interesting. While it seems a shame that we might need to buy a fish or snail just because it eats algae, the upside is that most algae-eating creatures are attractive or interesting in their own right. Let’s talk about the various interesting creatures that help us keep algae growth under control. I’m going to introduce you to some of the best algae-eaters and also warn you away from those that are a waste of time. There is no safer or more satisfying way to be rid of algae than to use it to fatten up an interesting critter.

So, we hobbyists are always on the lookout for a safe, natural way to control algae, which leads us to various fish and invertebrates that eat algae. Only a few hobbyists have not needed to battle algae at least once in the course of their aquarium keeping. Whatever form it takes, algae can undermine the pleasure of the aquarium hobby. It can be slimy, hairlike and can turn water green like pea soup. Algae growth is an intruder for many aquarists.

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