A Few Fish Species That Clean Up Your Aquarium

Keeping your tank clean is an ongoing job so it`s not a bad idea to get some fish and other critters to help with the chore. These scavenger fish will scarf up any food on the bottom as well as algae. You must, however, be careful which fish you buy as some are peaceful and will co-exist quite well with other fish and some will attack them.

One of the hardest problems to control is algae. Thank goodness there`s a fish made just for that. The Chinese Algae Eater will attach itself to the flat surfaces of your tank and clean it very well. They can become very aggressive once they become an adult and could even attack larger fish so they`re good when young but should be separated once they get grown.

The Flying Fox or Trunk Barb will also eat the food at the bottom of the tank but if they are put with similar species, they can become territorial. If you really want a good, shy, peaceful fish that is great at cleaning, get a Catfish. They will also eat algae.  as per  www.articlecircle.com

Snails are another great algae eater, but they multiply rapidly so if you don`t want a tank with tons,and I mean tons of snails, only get one snail at the fish store. Snail eggs tend to be on live plants that you purchase so if this happens to you, get some Sucker Loaches as they eat snails.  Be aware they grow rather large once they are adults.

You can also get some Bumblebee Shrimp to eat leftover food and algae. This shrimp in only about an inch long and won`t hurt your other fish but you will need to feed them other foods as well.

You can even get a Hermit Crab but you must get one that won`t grow over an inch as big crabs might eat your fish. Sally Lightfoot Crabs eat algae and are very peaceful creatures. The photo is a Chinese Algae Eater.

Image source  en.wikipedia.

Chinese Algae Eater Care

Regardless of where it comes from, this algae eater, in its youth is very useful in clearing aquarium surfaces of algae. It quickly inches its way along every surface all the while sucking the algae in its path. Once the task is done, the algae eater starts at the beginning to clean everything all over again. The job is never done for this diligent young worker. As the algae eater matures he gets tired of working so hard. The sucker fish that used to be helpful and hardworking is now a pest, and quite a large one at that. This fish has the potential to grow up to 12 inches in length although captivity usually brings them up to only 6 inches. Mature algae eaters prefer meatier foods and they prey on the fish with broad, flat sides so that they can suction their mouths to it. They are quick enough to chaise down and suck slime coats off tankmates as they go by, stressing everyone else out and weakening their immune systems. Many fish die as a result of the algae eater’s behaviors and this gives them a bad reputation in the aquarium industry. In the wild, Chinese algae eaters are found in Northern India and Central Thailand. They inhabit rivers and streams in places where the current is quick moving. Algae eaters use their disk-shaped mouths to suction themselves to solid surfaces to keep from being swept up in those currents. Their mouths are located on the underside of their heads which is a highly prolific trait possessed by bottom feeders. Also useful is their flat bellies which allow them to rest comfortably on flat surfaces. There is a small spiracle on the head that allows water to pass into the mouth and over the gills yet still allows enough suction for the fish to hold on. The Chinese algae eater has a long, thin body of bronze coloration with hues of yellow and brown. There is a black stripe from nose to tail fin, sometimes with equally distanced spots breaking up the stripe. Sometimes there are black spots located on the caudal fin while the pectoral, anal, dorsal and pelvic fins are usually clear of any markings. This species is also represented in a golden strain which is a little more attractive than the common version. This gold algae eater has a bright yellow back and a silvery-white belly. There is no dark stripe running along the flanks of this variation of algae eater. Information about proper breeding conditions for this fish is elusive and hobbyists have documented only accidental spawning.

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