Aquariums provide beauty and serenity to a room. But, only if you keep them clean.
Cleaning an aquarium may seem daunting. Fortunately, if you balance the ecosystem correctly with aquarium cleaning fish and other natural cleansers, the little environment will clean itself.
Awesome Aquarium Cleaning Fish: 5 Must-Haves
When buying wildlife for your aquarium, you should take more than appearance into account. You need life forms that will eat the algae to keep your tank healthy and clean without hassle.
When choosing an algae eater, take into account the oxygenation, salinity, water current, open space, and activity & friendliness of the other creatures. Choose some that fit in the ecosystem you provide and complement each other by consuming different types of algae.
Keep reading to learn 5 tanks cleaning fish and critters.
1. Copepods
Sure, you want vibrant, colorful fish swimming through your water. But, you also need clean water to fully appreciate their beauty.
Copepods may look underwhelming. But, these tiny swimmers will help keep your saltwater tank clean by devouring the algae. Changing the water once a week will ensure that these guys do not overpopulate.
2. Siamese Algae Eater
These freshwater fish require moderate care and eat many types of algae that can build up in your aquarium.
They even feed on black beard algae, which most species do not eat. This makes them one of the best fish that clean tanks.
Do not put this fish into a tiny tank. They can grow up to about 6″.
3. Suckermouth Catfish
What eats algae and look cool? Suckermouth catfish!
Bristlenose Plecos give off vibrant hues and require little care. These fish roam around sucking algae off of any surface and our of crevices.
These fish will get along with most other aquatic life. But, they tend to get territorial with their own species, so one per tank.
If you want a rare tank cleaning fish, try to land a twig catfish. These unusual catfish are delicate, so take care not to place them with aggressive fish.
4. Snails
These bizarre critters make a cool addition to your aquarium while cleaning it up nicely. Aquatic snails require little care and can live peacefully with most fish.
For your saltwater tank, opt for a trochus snail for a beautiful shell and ravaging algae eater. Also, invest in a Nassarius snail, who eats detritus to keep nutrients balanced and algae at bay.
Ramshorn snails and Rabbit snails add character to your freshwater tank and eat many forms of algae. You can also add smaller trumpet snails if space is limited.
5. Shrimp
These cool little critters, like the Amano shrimp, give variety to your tank while munching up the algae. Shrimp will also eat excess food, which triggers algal blooms in the first place.
Enjoy the Beauty of Your Underwater World
Aquarium cleaning fish and critters allow you to enjoy the incredible beauty of an almost alien world. You will marvel at the way these creatures form a functioning community.
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