5 Algae Loving Fish for Your at Home Aquarium

If you’ve ever had an aquarium, you’re very familiar with algae. While it is normal and safe in small amounts, it can create a health and aesthetic issue if left unchecked. If you want to avoid chemical cleaning, you’ll need some algae-loving fish for your at home aquarium.

Twig Catfish

These interesting-looking fish are a great addition to a warm tank with a little too much algae. Twig catfish grow up to about six inches long, and they generally eat algae as well as other vegetarian options. They love busy environments with lots of wood and plant life to munch on algae.

Bristlenose Pleco

Plecos are a staple in most tanks, and the Bristlenose Pleco is a unique one. They grow up to about five inches long, and they are omnivores that definitely prefer algae. They are very peaceful, and enjoy varied environments offering algae to eat. Consider adding driftwood to your tank for them.

Pictus Catfish

Pictus catfish are beautiful bottom dwellers that offer a great option for those who just need a little bit of cleanup. They grow up to about five inches long, and love an omnivorous, varied diet. Be cautious that if you have very small fish in your tank, the pictus catfish might find them appetizing. Make sure to provide lots of rocks and plants in your tank for them so they can hide if they’d like.

Kuhli Loach

Kuhli loaches are great fish that will eat just about anything. They prefer living in groups, so get a few of them if you can. They grow up to about four inches long and are omnivorous. They will eat any kind of algae in your tank, but they also need regular food and protein. They are generally shy, so try to offer them places to lie low in your tank.

Freshwater Snails

While snails aren’t technically fish, they do great in home aquariums and offer some benefits that fish can’t. Most of the fish listed above do well in warmer tanks, but there are lots of snails that can thrive in cold tanks. This is great if you keep goldfish, for example. Mystery snails, rabbit snails, and Japanese trapdoor snails are just a few examples of freshwater, algae-loving  snails you can keep in your aquarium.

Considerations for Your Algae-Loving Bottom Feeders

Be sure you have enough algae in your aquarium for your bottom feeder fish. Most fish cannot be sustained off of the natural algae alone, so you can provide them with algae supplements or other food in line with their diet. Most algae-eaters prefer a lot of terrain in the bottom of their tank to hide in and eat around. Lastly, make sure that any additional food you give them will sink to the bottom of the tank for them to find.

 Algae-loving fish are an excellent, natural way of keeping your tank clean. Most of them are docile and do well in community tanks, too. They’re usually very interesting in appearance, making for a useful, fun addition to your home aquarium.