Algae eater for cichlid tank ?

Question

What type of algae eater would you recommend for an established 80 gal.cichlid tank with fairly large fish in it. My pleco just died (think they may have gotten it) He didn't grow along with them so think he may have become a target. With their size I would need to find something a little larger.

Answer 1

Hi,

Anything really a plec will do, i did used to have some sucking loaches in a cichlid tank with two to three inch long cichlids and they were fine, but if the cichlids are bigger then they probably wouldn't mix as sucking loaches only get to about two inches long. As well in my cichlid tank i have a red tailed or rainbow shark in there which does a good job.

Answer 2

what kind of cichlids do you have ??? african ?? ive seen those gold algea  eaters in african cichlid tanks

if the South americans then i would say a larger ( 8 inch for example) pleco will be ok

i like bristle nose plecos  

Answer 3

ya stay away from the loaches and never get a chinese algae eater its a cheap knock off of the real siamese algae eater the chinese one does not work and really your best bet is to get a large pleco 6+ in depending on wat size fish you have

Answer 4

What about a sucking loach? (chinese algae eater). They grow large and aggressive (12 inch)

Answer 5

if you got a south american cichlid tank setup, then i would suggest a common pleco

if you have an african cichlid setup,  you could add up to 2 pairs of bristle nose plecos

you might even be able to keep cory cats or kuhli loaches

or better yet, you could add a group of 5 clown loaches