Goldfish are excellent at cleaning up algae in their tank, but they need the help of other tank mates in order to do it effectively.
As there are numerous algae eaters available – from coldwater fish to hardy tropical ones – there should be something suitable to complement your goldfish in any environment.
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Snails
Snails can make great additions to a goldfish tank as they help maintain clean waters by eating away at algae on substrate, glass, plants, and decorations. Plus, these hardy freshwater species need minimal care. However, any new snails you purchase should first be quarantined in an oxygenated environment for 28 days in a glass jar with fast-growing, oxygenating plants like hornwort – just in case any diseases could harm your fish.
Bristlenose plecos, rubber-lipped plecos, nerite snails and mystery snails make excellent choices for your goldfish tank as they consume algae efficiently while adapting well to various environmental conditions. Furthermore, nerite snails don’t breed in freshwater so won’t overcrowd your tank; making them suitable choices for beginner aquarium owners. Furthermore, these aquatic companions enjoy eating fish flakes and pellets to supplement your goldfish diet!
Plecos
Plecos can co-habit with goldfish in an aquarium (>80 gallon capacity). Being omnivorous fish, plecos should not harm their goldfish neighbors as long as they receive a healthy and varied diet. It should be noted that plecos can sucking on other species’ skin; to prevent this happening it’s recommended that both species live separately tanks.
Note that plecos are tropical fish and require warmer water temperatures than goldfish, making them unsuitable as housemates; however, some smaller varieties such as bristlenose and rubber-lipped plecos may cohabit peacefully with goldfish.
Goldfish and pleco must feel secure and safe, which can be achieved by adding rocks, caves and driftwood. Additionally, adding easy-care plants such as anubias or Java Fern will add natural appeal while also creating extra hiding places for both species of fish.
Shrimp
Algae growth can be an ongoing problem in aquariums and can be hard to control. There are various solutions for dealing with it; one effective method would be adding an algae eater shrimp. These shrimps can clean your tank while also being highly effective at controlling green algae growth.
Amano shrimp and Nerite snails are two excellent eaters of algae. Both species can consume various types of algae such as brush algae, string algae and hair algae; they’re especially adept at eating brush. Unfortunately, red (Staghorn) algae cannot be eaten due to its single cell structure.
The Nerite snail features a distinctive zebra-striped shell pattern and is well known for eating algae. Although black spot algae may be its favorite food source, other varieties exist too – so grouping these snails together in groups of three or more is recommended to protect them from predatory fish.
Chinese Algae Eaters
Chinese algae eaters are hardy fish that thrive in both fresh and brackish water environments, often being sold at pet stores in 10 or 20-gallon tanks but quickly outgrowing this size. A 30- to 50-gallon tank should provide ample room for these active creatures to explore and find food sources.
Wild fish tend to live near rocky surfaces of rivers and lakes, though aquarium aquariums allow you to recreate this natural environment at home to help lower stress levels. Replicating their natural environment in an aquarium will reduce anxiety.
Chinese algae eaters can be semi-aggressive fish that don’t mix well with similar sized species, potentially injuring fellow bottom dwellers by latching onto them with their flat bodies and biting hard. To prevent aggression from these fish it is recommended that they are kept alone or kept with fast moving species that don’t feature flat bodies like them in order to reduce aggression.
