To lessen the time between scraping off algae in your tank, you may want to invest in buying a couple of algae eaters.
Common types of algae eating fish are: Armor plated catfish (Plecostomus) - also called Pleco, this popular type of algae eater (AE) can grow to about more than 15 inches long.
Its popularity is mainly due to its compatibility to many fish types, and also as an efficient eater.
It is not a good choice, though, if you have plants in your tank for they can eat the plants once there are not enough algae in the tank.
Chinese algae eaters - this aggressive AE can grow for as much as 5-6 inches long.
Because of its aggressiveness, it is not a good addition to a tank when you have slow-moving fish for they would try to eat the fish's protective coating.
Siamese algae eaters - these small fish are perfect for a tank that has a multitude of plants in it.
They eat algae that are ignored by other fish such as thread and brush algae.
However, delicate, thin-leafed plants are not safe for they can get destroyed once the algae eater reaches its full size Otocinclus catfish - perfect for small tanks with dense vegetation.
Your plants are safe with this algae eater for it can reach only up to an inch when fully matured.
It is ideal to place more than one otocinclus in your tank for this type of algae eater is a schooling fish.
However, due to their small size, they are not compatible with big fish for they can eat the otocinclus when given the chance.
It prefers to eat small, young algae making it quite effective in controlling algal growth.
Try to see which type of fish that eats algae will be beneficial for your tank.
It is not enough that you put in just one type.
Mixing them will make sure that all types of algae are kept at bay, so you will not have to worry about having an unsightly fish tank when you comeback from a vacation.
Common types of algae eating fish are: Armor plated catfish (Plecostomus) - also called Pleco, this popular type of algae eater (AE) can grow to about more than 15 inches long.
Its popularity is mainly due to its compatibility to many fish types, and also as an efficient eater.
It is not a good choice, though, if you have plants in your tank for they can eat the plants once there are not enough algae in the tank.
Chinese algae eaters - this aggressive AE can grow for as much as 5-6 inches long.
Because of its aggressiveness, it is not a good addition to a tank when you have slow-moving fish for they would try to eat the fish's protective coating.
Siamese algae eaters - these small fish are perfect for a tank that has a multitude of plants in it.
They eat algae that are ignored by other fish such as thread and brush algae.
However, delicate, thin-leafed plants are not safe for they can get destroyed once the algae eater reaches its full size Otocinclus catfish - perfect for small tanks with dense vegetation.
Your plants are safe with this algae eater for it can reach only up to an inch when fully matured.
It is ideal to place more than one otocinclus in your tank for this type of algae eater is a schooling fish.
However, due to their small size, they are not compatible with big fish for they can eat the otocinclus when given the chance.
It prefers to eat small, young algae making it quite effective in controlling algal growth.
Try to see which type of fish that eats algae will be beneficial for your tank.
It is not enough that you put in just one type.
Mixing them will make sure that all types of algae are kept at bay, so you will not have to worry about having an unsightly fish tank when you comeback from a vacation.
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