Algae eaters (L#'s)

[adanac50]

Need help in identifying some L#'s that are good algae eaters
that don't grow over 8"...

Thanks,

[wijnands]

Quite a few of the ancistrus really love algae. In my opinion algae as a nuisance should be tackled at the root cause (often excess nutrients, too much light or both). If you want to use animals to control algae you may be better off with snails like nerites.

[Richard B]

As wijnands suggests, ancistrus are great algae eaters. A lot of L no's will eat a bit of algae but this doesn't mean they are algae eaters - many have quite specialised diets.

I quite like to see algal growth in a tank on rocks etc as it looks far more natural but excessive growth could indicate a problem.

wijnands also rightly points out nerite snails are consumers of algae and some are quite attractive.

[nvcichlids]

I agree to both points above, if there is algae, there is a larger problem that should be dealt with. I like hte look of algae also in my tanks to the point where the back wall is covered in it (still has a background, but the algae sure looks good!)

wijnands also rightly points out nerite snails are consumers of algae and some are quite attractive.

The downfall I have with nerites has always been them getting eaten by my plecos. Also, they leave little white eggs everywhere that nothing eats, so they remain.

Ancistrus are some of the best algae eating plecos. I have seen 5 fry (1") destroy a 29 gallon tank that was covered in algae in a matter of days.