Otocinclus
Otocinclus spp.
Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Tiny algae grazers for a cycled, planted tank. Buy a group. Do not add them to a tank with no film on the glass yet.
Tiny algae grazer for a mature planted tank.
In the tank
- Best small fish for soft green algae on leaves and glass.
- They will not dent hair algae or black beard. Do not expect miracles.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Adult size
- 2 in
- Minimum tank
- 10 gal
- Group
- School of 4+
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Diet
- Soft algae, biofilm, and wafers once the tank is mature. They starve in a brand-new sterile tank.
- Beginner
- Yes, if the tank is cycled
How to keep them
- Only add to a cycled tank with film already on the glass.
- Group of four-plus. Supplement with wafers — they starve in sterile tanks.
Tankmates
Small tetras, shrimp, snails.
Avoid
Brand-new tanks, goldfish, and ‘algae eater’ as the only feeding plan.
Check tankmates · Stocking calculator
Same group
Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
The correct bottom crew for a community.
Sift sand so leftover food and mulm do not sit and rot.
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus spp.
The pleco that actually fits in a home tank — and eats algae.
Rasp green algae and biofilm off glass, wood, and hardscape.
Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus
Sold as an algae eater. Becomes an 18-inch waste factory.
Juveniles do eat algae.
Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
Nocturnal sand noodles. They work leftover food after lights-out.
Pick food that hit the sand overnight.
Clown Loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Snail-eater that outgrows the tank it was sold for.
Will hunt pest bladder snails.
Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
One shark per tank. Owns the lower third.
Picks some algae and leftover food on the bottom.