Pet Information: Algae-Eaters

Algae is a fact of life in all fish tanks. The end product of the Nitrogen Cycle is Nitrate, which fuels plant and algae growth. While it is only toxic to fish at very high levels, fish keepers need to figure out some way to deal with it. Live plants use it for food and can naturally remove it from a properly stocked tank. In fish tanks without live plants, that are overstocked, or that have high light levels, algae will also grow. You can control the algae several ways: decrease the amount of light, increase the number of live plants, decrease the number of fish, preform frequent partial water changes, or add an animal that will eat the algae for you. Herbivores (plant eaters) have a lower bioload than carnivores (meat and insect eaters); the ammonia waste fish produce is the end product of breaking down the protein consumed and most plants simply have a lot less of it.

Feeding your Algae-Eater

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Algae-eaters should be feed at least twice a week. It may seem silly to feed something you bought just to control the algae in your fish tank, but if you don't supplement their diet they may die. Once they eat all the algae they could starve, and then you'll be faced with another algae-bloom and find yourself needing to buy another algae eater. Many fish also benefit from having vegetable matter added to their diets, and will happily nipple on the veggie/algae wafers. Make sure you feed enough so that it takes at least an hour for them to be eaten - snails especially are slower than most fish and you do not want all of your fish to eat the food before the snails get some.

I prefer the Omega One Veggie Rounds. The first ingredients are: Whole Kelp, Spirulina (algae), Whole Salmon, Halibut, Seafood Mix (Including Krill, Whole Herring, & Shrimp). Important vitamins are listed on the ingredients and added in as supplements, instead of relying on other ingredients to supply them like some foods do. Another important factor is that there is no copper listed in the ingredients; many algae eaters are copper sensitive and may die if exposed to it. (Some copper compounds are used as preservatives in other veggie wafers.)

Fish

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Klong in Thailand
There are several types of fish that eat algae. Many people are familiar with the plecostomus, but there are many other options. The average pleco gets to be 14" in size, with a few staying around 4-6". My favorite algae-eating fish is the Otocinclus, they are cute (I tink) and only get to be 2" in size! This makes them well suited for any size tank, especially since they happily live in schools in larger tanks.

Basic Tank Requirements

TANK SIZE: No less than 1 gallon for a single fish, with a filter. A larger tank, at least 2.5 gallons, is recommended; it will allow for a more stable temperature, proper nitrogen cycling, less maintenance, and a more active fish.

COVER: Make sure your aquarium has an escape-proof cover, many fish are jumpers. It should fit snugly onto the tank with an area for the filter, heater cord, and any airline tubing to enter.

TEMPERATURES: Aquarium temperatures should be monitored closely and kept around 78 degrees Fahrenheit* for tropical fish. An appropriately sized aquarium heater should be used to maintain proper temperature for your fish. Sudden drops in temperature should be avoided as they stress fish and weaken their immune systems. Buy an aquarium thermometer, either one that hangs in the tank or attaches to the outside of the glass, and check the temperature regularly.

*Goldfish and koi do not need a heater since they are a cold water fish, but maintaining a stable temperature is still important for their health.

Snails

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Shrimp

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