Top 5 Algae Eaters to Clean Your Aquarium

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‎ With their powers combined, these 5 algae eaters pack a mighty punch in any planted aquarium!
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At Aquarium Co-Op, we focus on your aquariums. We specialize in freshwater tropical fish, aquatic plants, and the overall betterment of the freshwater fish keeping hobby. Our goal is to help you with your first pet fish and graduate you to an advanced aquarium hobbyist. If you'd like to take it to the next level, subscribe to Aquarium Co-Op and check out our weekly videos.
Cory McElroy is employed by Aquarium Co-Op LLC. He also owns Aquarium Co-Op LLC. Therefore, all content is sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.
0:00 - Why I love this top 5
0:23 - Hillstream loach
1:45 - Amano shrimp
2:20 - Nerite snail
3:20 - Cherry shrimp
3:57 - Otocinclus catfish
4:21 - Benefits of keeping these together
4:37 - How many should I get?
#Aquariumcoop #Aquariumfish #Fishtank

[@AquariumCoop]

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[@closetocreamy]

How many otos catfish for a 55 gallon?

[@angiei.1209]

Hi I have a 10 gallon tank , with 1 betta, 3 guppies and 2 mollies with 2 ghost shrimp. I just had to clean my entire tank because there was this white alge everywhere... I have plastic plants. I'm nervous that it will come back . Looking at your video I'm thinking not all of these alge eaters should go in my tank but I'm not sure could you recommend the ones I should get? Thanks🙂

[@121mcvUK]

I live the UK and in the winter the office drops to 10c, what do you recommend as a cleaning fish

[@Nagarjunapathuri]

Can i put hailstorm loach with flowerhorn Like regular plecos?

[@TheAquaPapa]

Can I request a video on things that you could add to your tank live in the substrate from different worms, snails, clams, fish and maybe even bugs. Obviously all stuff that would have a purpose

[@user-nq3xi4wm2k]

Algae: exists Me: buys Otto to eat it Otto: I don’t think I will eat it, but those algae wafers look good

[@scottgeorge4760]

I have Otto"s and Chinese Algae eater 😀

[@lancerguy3667]

@@scottgeorge4760 Watch out for Chinese Algae Eaters... those things are known to turn into serial killers when they grow up.

[@CaleenKnow]

What brand works for them I heard they are hard to feed

[@Xsksnssjccxghb]

Mine won’t even look at wafers but they are nibbling surfaces 24/7 and pooping so I assume they took care of themselves. I still feed them algae wafers at night hoping they eat them while the other fish are asleep

[@-Radium-]

Just don’t feed them the algae wafer for a while

[@toddsherman]

I’d like to see a time lapse of a tank being cleaned by this combo

[@rustammamedov1732]

I'm too.

[@jeremyburrage4197]

Same!

[@erint5373]

I find watching these types of guys do their work in a tank SO relaxing and satisfying-like ASMR

[@bluemanpaul]

Otocinclus are better suited to being in larger groups in my experience. They can be mixed with similar looking corydora as they school with them for protection.

[@aprilsage5695]

My lfs doesn’t sell less than 5 otos at a time, as they school by the thousands in the wild and feel much more comfortable this way

[@striumph4771]

I used to have a Hillstream in my lidless tank, didn't end well. Poor bastard sucked his way over the edge and dried out on my desk. RIP

[@ariscosollover73]

Idk to laugh or cry. 😅😅😅

[@shecomments2much189]

F

[@Xsksnssjccxghb]

Same story. I have a strong flow tank which they love but my it’s a bit small and one time I filled my water up too full and it jumped out😂(I did have a lid but there’s a small space in the back) Switched to ottos and they seem happy in my tank

[@scifydi6446]

I had a crayfish crawl out of my tightly covered 55 gallon. I found him in a closet a few weeks later!

[@LadyCoyKoi]

I don't know to feel sad or laughing.

[@theshrimpscene4386]

Great Vid Cory! I never get tired of hearing about different algae eaters. Plus love the fact that all of these can live together. I find Scuds/Gammarus are another great algae eater that provides live food as well.

[@C.Radulescu]

2:35 bottom right goldfish going backwards and bumping his head in the sand :))

[@amandacaballero1964]

i noticed that too!! so cute

[@yuhanlee9676]

It sleepy

[@ajfilmsss]

is it ok?

[@C.Radulescu]

@@ajfilmsss I'm not sure. It seems to be OK

[@InDreamsYourMine]

@@ajfilmsss It totally fine, my goldfish bumps her head into the sand too

[@bambammrc]

Opening my package from you guys right now. Thank you so much for what you do for our hobby

[@daveyponderosa9549]

Thanks for your post Sir. I’ll be following your advice this weekend. Cheers

[@DrawerFullofRocks]

Thanks for this video, Cory. Can you consider doing one for a safe cleanup crew for goldfish? I hear so many horror stories in my Facebook goldfish groups about people putting in the absolute wrong clean up crew companions in their goldfish tanks. I know a lot of the members follow you here on KZbin. Thanks again for always creating engaging content.

[@pamelapilling8785]

My 55 G is so clean. I bought 4 Hillstreams because Rachel O'Leary's are really cute. I guess I am doing something right. I now have at least 30. They are breeding like crazy right now.

[@rugvedkulkarni1593]

What temperature do you keep your aquarium at?

[@brazzr]

Just the video i needed, Thanks Cory!

[@deangovender9815]

ive literally been waiting for a video like this!

[@2-trueman918]

Good idea, I never really thought about having a few different types in the one tank 👍👍

[@ludvigsaquariums5801]

Amazing will definitely help me in the future!

[@sicboy83]

Awesome. This is very helpful for my outdoor patio pond

[@loripullins4700]

Thank you for this list!!!

[@diamondharris4963]

Hey my fish keeping friends.

[@1er1s]

heeeeeyyyyy

[@tupacshakur9847]

Ya man

[@murphdawgswizzle]

hiya!

[@MiraSubieGirl]

Hello!

[@scarlettcourtney9205]

hiiii👋

[@shesellsfish]

Those 5 together...that's a hard working crew. 👍💕👍

[@fili91]

Great video my two mystery snails couldn't keep up with my algea. I picked up 3 Hillstream Loaches and I'm really happy with them. Awesome fish super active and full of personality. Thanks for making these type of videos

[@TheMirraco]

Great Video Cory!

[@thatguy5367]

Thanks Cory. Just started a guppy breeding tank.. I have three otocinclus, 2 nerite snails and nowI'll be adding 6 cherry shrimp. I have some red tail guppies, that should look cool together.

[@davesaquariums]

Thanks Cory! I've had good luck with a mix of 6 Otos, a single Bristlenose, a small horde of bladder snails, and a pile of platies. That group cleaned every bit of BBA, hair algae, and green spot out of my sons 29 when they got hungry. It was awesome, and none of it has come back since.

[@tiborzakar697]

I have a 36 gallon. I use some amano shrimp. 4 Corys, a bristle nose pleco and some snails. Seems to work great and they all get along with my first in the tank

[@alishaforster4950]

Watching from Canada and have been able to get some of ur recommendations! Just got two hill stream loaches I love them ❤

[@vikka6310]

Woah! Looking good with the beard, man! Also looks like you've lost weight. Good on you, brother. Thanks for the fish info btw

[@krisdonohue3959]

Thanks for all your well tested information. Got a Hillstream loach and he cleaned off the front of my 55 within 24 hours. My others guys are getting lazy!

[@bgs9man]

Another great informative video. Thanks

[@greenthumbaquariums1185]

I'm finding that the red lizard whiptail is a surprisingly good algae eater particularly for the fuzzy green variety.

[@jackanddan]

We love our Hillstreams....👍

[@jackanddan]

@@SpiritAquatics ....Believe ours are captive bred....we have several and are hoping they breed for us....they are the neatest little dudes ever and Jack just loves them....

[@madfishdiva]

@@SpiritAquatics I have been breeding HIllstreams Loaches in my 55 for over a year and know of other breeders as well.

[@rimrodi7]

Yeah they are.

[@persian9259]

Hi I was thinking of getting a hillstream loach, I have a 57 litre tank, with tetras and guppy's and shrimp, would you all recommend getting one?

[@jackanddan]

Persian ....probably be okay....👍

[@jamesgreen9372]

Great video for a common problem, Jim

[@pastelshrimp3106]

I love nerite snails, I have one for my 10 gallon community tank, and it has been an algae saver, just one is good unless if u got a lot of ammonia being produced in your tank.

[@breannagould4279]

Added 2 otocinclus and a hillstream loach and our extreme algae problem(the only place we can put our tank gets too much sunlight and makes algae spread like the plague) was over half way cleared up by day 3. Got one more otocinclus and another hillstream loach and two days later everything in the tank looks brand new. Blown away. Thanks!

[@electricblueaquariums4821]

I love the otos! They help out in my guppy and discus tanks! Great fish!

[@jacklandismusic]

Me, planning to get an angelfish for my new tank: I wonder if hillstream loaches can cohabitate with angels... B-roll footage: *angelfish swims directly in front of hillstream loach*

[@Scottholiday13F]

Late to comment. But i have a 75g that has 2 black angelfish and 2 koi angelfish with a couple ottos and 2 hillstream loaches and a handful of other species but yes that all get along well! No nips or anything.

[@Cashcash08]

@@Scottholiday13F have you tried putting shrimp in there?

[@Cashcash08]

@@Scottholiday13F do you have any small fish like neon there?

[@Scottholiday13F]

@@Cashcash08 so all together i have 4 angelfish, 2 black mollies, 2 Dalmatian mollies, 2 rope fish, 6 peppered corys, a zebra pleco, a hill stream loach, 2 ottos, 3 crabs, a handful of snails and my male guppy. Along with i get a dozen ghost shrimp each week for my rope fish. I have a 50g breeder tank for fancy guppies and red shrimp. I just started a small blue shrimp tank and i have a tank with guppies and snails alone. Started with a blue and red rams horn and a mystery snail. Now i have about 150 snails and i have multiple variations of rams and mysteries. I have a complete mystery rams all black and speckled. An albino rams etc. i have alot of plants and driftwood and floating lilies. So i do monthly water changes and my tanks basically take care of themselves. And i hatch/ feed brine shrimp to my tanks and blood worms along with beefheart! A lot of what i know came from Cory at aquarium co-op.

[@Scottholiday13F]

@@Cashcash08 also i run canister filters and CO2 in my tanks with aquarium co-ops green bottle of fertilizer

[@varanidguy]

One of my favorite algae eaters out there is the Siamese algae eater. I've personally witnessed them even decimating BBA, they're great! I have a couple of them in my 75, wanted to add in 2-3 hillstream loaches, but I'm using lava rock as my hard scape (substrate is #20 pool filter sand). Would the lava rock be too rough for them?

[@davidmiller8030]

I have ghost shrimp, rams horn in both my tanks, in my 20 gallon I also have a fiddler, 2 mystery snails (gold and blue), and Malaysian trumpet snails in my gravel and the run of the mill pleco....they do a hell of a job

[@gautamb904]

Hi cory.. You always provide me with somegood information about aquarium hobby... 👍🏻. You didn't mention about SAE's in this video why?

[@MS-vw6vj]

Thanks for this video...

[@sueyounglove9253]

Very useful to know.

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

Beautiful vedio...keep going...u r best

[@DanielGonzalez-gd3dx]

Hi cory awesome video I love video like this.

[@lancesmith6908]

Nice vid thanks

[@maxmal9375]

That aquarium in the back 👌🏻👌🏻

[@danricefish]

I have most of these plus A couple Siamese algae eaters, hoping they will clear up my hair algae problem, they seem to be doing a good job so far even after a day

[@notavailable1174]

the shrimp are my favorite, they’re so cute and fun to watch

[@Upierdliwiec4L]

Military helmet snail is my favourite.. I love it's black shell.. very good for algae on glass

[@XZumex]

This is essentially what I stocked my first 29 gallon tank with minis an Bristlenose Pleco named Cotton

[@steveh1179]

Great video! In my 20 long I have 6 nerites, 4 Japonica shrimp, 2 panda Cory and other community fish. I really like the hill stream loach! Would that fish work in my tank or would it get too big, I have read at aquarialive that 30gal min tank size. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[@davepothier5508]

Nice i use 1 hillsteam 3 otos cherry shrimp n snails..nvr had amano shrimp tough

[@77navarram]

Those goldfish are amazing!

[@deborahdunning1917]

Hi I have been watching lots of your videos they have helped alot we have a new tank within days we had an amonia spike it's now over thanks to your help we have a few shimp I was thinking about adding Hillstream leach also to help clean it's only a 25liter tank would this be ok and do they add to the amonia levels in the tank.

[@janie2shoes537]

Great video.

[@myaquariumfish5188]

How do you feel about stiphodon goby? Had no problem keeping them with shrimp and they annhilate algae. Love your videos 👍

[@professorm4171]

Panda gara would work. A note on the small shrimps. They're usually food for fish bigger than them.

[@Xsksnssjccxghb]

Need to watch 300 Amano shrimps cleaning an algae infested plant. Just too satisfying! Would be a cool video idea

[@jordangalan1946]

Cory, how do you feel about plecos etc attaching to Goldfish and removing slime coat/scales?

[@gleysongriebeler3536]

I love the fish in the background

[@LNX308]

I have some pretty aggressive long fin tiger barbs in a 20 high. Would the hillstream loach still do fine in there?

[@problemaquarium]

Your losing a good amount of weight there buddy! Looking a lot healthier! Good job! Hello from Newfoundland, Canada! 🇨🇦

[@niva8043]

Haha look at the chocolate/golden fish at the end of the video. It looks like he's given you the evil eye 🤣

[@asisters2727]

This are great ideas

[@bace2842]

Awesome video

[@vampgaia]

I have all of these. They do a great job. *** Goldfish trolling A+ ***

[@selcouthgaming7957]

Hi! I’ve danios and molly in my aquarium. Which one do you suggest from your list to use? Kindly suggest

[@guppys5605]

Good video keep it up ...

[@DrawerFullofRocks]

Read that Hillstream Loaches prefer a tank with higher flow, like being in a steadily moving river. Is this true? I really love them, but have held back because of this. I had thought to try a couple in my tank with Pristella maxillaris, cories and Tiger Nerites. Thoughts?

[@vanithaahrelis8631]

I have panda garras in my tanks - anything even vaguely algae related is gone. my driftwood looks like it's been sanded down and any that was growing on my plants - gone. I do have some hillstream loaches in with them and they seem to have divided the tank into: Hilstream on the glass sides, garra - everything else.

[@machscga6238]

What freshwater clean up crew would do well in slow moving river style water that is between 26°c -32°c and what plant + clean up crew. Combo crew would ypu recommend?

[@MacHamish]

We have clown loaches so no shrimp for us but the 4 baby Bristlenose plecos we added cleaned our 55 gal in a week. Now we have to give them veggies and wafers. 😎👍

[@smokakwariowy]

A nice video stays on this channel for longer. Paw up !!!

[@2view944]

I wish I could have a robot Pleco. Clean my aquarium glass by using the remote control

[@blakeobi8812]

What mix of these would you recommend for a 10 gallon tank?

[@kellysuzanne976]

I love my otto's they are my favorite and in my opinion cute too. I have three want 3 more .

[@Benstrosity]

I have a video up of my tank, the snails work well

[@vegaf2011]

Which one would you recommend for a 120 gallon tank with two red ear sliders?

[@Jodster223]

I have 3 hillstream loaches, 4 amano, 2 nerite snails, 2 clown plecos, and pygmy catfish in a very clean 50 gal tank.

[@oneuup9417]

What kind of tank setup is this in the video I like the way the water is going back into the tank

[@iwin2655]

Hey buddy! I have a question! Are those sponge filters in the back? What kind? :) thanks dude!

[@sssrajan]

I have 5 * 2 * 2 stacked with Goldie's 15 pairs of them. I have 4 of apple snails working on the algae sedements . I have added them about a month back and still I don't see any predomenet change in algae cleanup. Can you pls suggest some combinations that I can try.

[@DCN2010]

How many otocinclus would you recommend for a 10 gallon cherry shrimp tank?

[@englishtime5327]

Siamese Flying Fox. I bought three. They are tiny but in just three days my plants are clean and I have a heavily planted tank. They are in a tank with 9 angels and loads of guppies.

[@kingterra111]

so i am planning on getting some algue eating fish for my tank, which has started to grow algae on the plant leaves and the glass, what type should i get, i also have a lidless fishtank since the light i use is not part of the tank lid style, so i have to have it open so that light can grow the plants. any idea on what i could get? i was thinking snails since they tend to be the easiest to keep for me but im not to sure, i was also thinking shrimp but i fear they will get stuck in the filter.

[@carlosesteves290]

More vídeos of Cichlid farms please!

[@joshweaver673]

I have a 75g community tank, currently has 1 Blue Acara, 1 Green Severum, 1 Panda Angel, 9/11 Tiger Barbs, 4/5 Albino Tiger Barbs, 3 Gold Barbs, 4 Odessa Barbs, 3 Platinum Green Barbs, 2 Red Glow Tiger Barbs, 2 ‘reject pink’ Glow Tetras, 4 Albino Cory Cats, & 1 Rubberlip Plecco. Tank has been up and running stable for roughly 18 months or so. Just recently decided to give plants another go so placed 4 Amazon swords, 2 Ozelot Swords, 2 Red Flame Swords, & tossed in 2 two-three inch thick moss balls. Tank has a 40g sponge filter as well as an internal overflow/sump filter system while doing 20-30% water changes weekly. (Might also add a Ziss in the future). With my set up which of these Algea Eaters/cleaners or combinations would you recommend for my tank to help with Algea & cleaning up. Thanks for any advice in advance, love your videos and support to the community!!!

[@ashleycoughlan8864]

Would these 5 do well with goldfish? I have a 15 gallon currently with 3 goldfish but soon I am moving them into a 50 gallon tank and hoping to have fun adding some other tank mates if possible and clean up crew is ideal.

[@sicilianotoronto]

Oto can die on a whim though. I loved my Siamese Algae Eater, great for all the hair algae on plants. Not so much for the glass walls. Also, it will get lazy and also eat the food you give for the other fish. LOL but overall so great. I think i had a female, she grew and got all chubby like a porpoise. It was so relaxing to see her on the plants and rocks at night before the lights went out just chilling and relaxing.

[@KyazRock]

how to solve SAE not eating algae but fish food

[@ioannisgeorgiou4347]

What do you suggest for a dark coloured stringie black beard type of algae, i heard of panda garras but not sure??? I have all 5 of the algae eaters that you mentioned!!

[@pedroperez-yb8vu]

Would nerite snails be good with dojo loaches cause I have seen some mixed things

[@gildagarraton6762]

Hi! I have a small Betta fish tank 1 gallon 1/2 . Getting algae spots in the glass and plants . What do you recommend?

[@adrian81487]

Will hillstream loaches be healthy in a tank with average flow? Will they avoid eating eggs, like I have read that otocinclus will?

[@Shadow_Arbor]

Been waiting a while for this video! Any recommendations for replacing amano shrimp in an angelfish tank? Need to get rid of some short hair algae growing on my crinum...

[@nathanoneill2362]

What about Siamese algae eaters ?

[@ohgr56]

My SAE (I have 3) love hair algae.

[@nathanoneill2362]

@@ohgr56 yeah I have the same and their the only ones that will go near it

[@Shadow_Arbor]

@@nathanoneill2362 The issue is figuring out if it's really a SAE or CAE. Also worried about how healthy they'll be because the ones soled where I live are wild caught and might not eat dry food...

[@TheBernardino1977]

Can you send me the link where you bought those Bubblers. Thank you

[@sshamon72]

Hello fish keeping community, hope you can help me out. I have some brown algae also known as diatom, that recently started to grow. What would be a good algae eater for this type of algae. I have a 65 gallon tank, which has been up for about 3 months now. I keep mostly community fish with a few Rams. Thanks.

[@eileenbowers6750]

Hi! What's good for a 3 gallon betta tank for algae? My mystery snail is of no use. It's brown algae specifically.

[@yacine8628]

What is the name of the small spotted fish behind the hillstream loach at 1:16

[@SeanMcColgandude]

Thanks Cory, I think I'll have to get myself a few Amano shrimp !

[@gdorfxoxo9657]

I got a little golden algea eater and he puts in work

[@apaoacil]

Chinese algae eater.. When they’re young they’re so great to clean algae.. once bigger I found them sometimes stick to my other fish.. I guess once they’re bigger they turned to omnivore although I also give them algae wafers they still “eat” my fish

[@MassachusettsTrainVideos1136]

no just no do not keep chinese algae eater

[@oathoftheowl2146]

Siamese algae eater

[@Paul_Jonathan]

I definitely need some Otocinclus catfish. How many would you recommend for a Landen 60H 30 gallon rimless aquarium 23.6" W 17.7" D 17.7" H ? Great video and content.