Do Algae Eaters Eat Fish Food?

Algae eaters, also known as algae cleaning fish are a popular addition to many home aquariums. As their name suggests algae eaters feed primarily on the algae in aquarium tanks. However, relying solely on naturally occurring algae may not provide enough nutrients to keep algae eaters healthy. This raises the question – do algae eaters eat regular fish food too?

An Overview of Common Algae Eater Species

There are several types of common algae eating fish found in home aquariums. Some of the most popular include:

• Otocinclus Catfish: Also called otos, these small suckermouth catfish scrape algae off surfaces with their mouth. They typically grow under 2 inches long.

• Siamese Algae Eaters: Known by the abbreviation SAE, these fish originate from Southeast Asia. They use their mouth to eat hair algae and prefer to feed at night. They can grow up to 6 inches long.

• Plecostomus Often called plecos, these armored catfish use sucker mouths to eat algae Common plecos can grow quite large, while dwarf varieties stay under 5 inches.

• American Flagfish: One of the few algae eating fish native to North America. They grow to around 3 inches and feed on hair algae and diatoms.

• Nerite Snails: While not a fish, these small freshwater snails are prolific algae eaters. Their spiral shells grow to 1 inch. They cannot reproduce in fresh water.

While their diets focus on algae, most algae eaters are omnivores that will also eat other meaty foods. However, their specific diet can vary by species.

Do Otocinclus Cats Eat Fish Food?

The small otocinclus catfish thrive best in established, mature aquariums with plenty of algae growth. While algae provides their main diet, otos will also pick at fish flakes and pellets that sink to the tank bottom. Their small mouth limits them to eating very small bits of fish food.

To supplement the diet of otocinclus cats, many aquarists will provide fresh vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and cucumber. Weight the vegetables down so they sink to the tank bottom where the otos feed. Blanched green beans also make an excellent oto treat.

Otocats have tiny stomachs so they need to graze constantly. Offering sinking algae wafers, pleading tablets, or spirulina pellets provides a steady food source in between algae grazing. Extras will be appreciated by other bottom feeders like cory catfish too.

Do Siamese Algae Eaters Eat Fish Food?

Siamese algae eaters are voracious algae lovers, known for keeping tanks spotless of hair algae. They will eat flakes and pellets alongside other fish at feeding time. For SAEs, provide a quality flake or pellet in a small enough size for them to eat.

Since siamese algae eaters are active fish, they appreciate more protein-rich foods like brine shrimp and blood worms to complement their algae diet. Live or frozen meaty foods are perfect to bring out their energetic behaviors at meal time.

Supplementing the diet of SAEs with vegetables is also appreciated. Spinach, zucchini medallions, and shelled peas make great treats. Make sure any uneaten fresh foods are removed promptly to avoid fouling the water.

Do Plecos Eat Algae?

While called algae eaters, many of the common aquarium pleco species do not actually eat much algae. They are better described as omnivores that will scavenge a variety of foods. Common plecos prefer protein-rich foods like bottom feeder pellets and wafers along with occasional meaty supplements.

Bristlenose plecos and rubbernose plecos will eat more algae than the common pleco. Providing driftwood helps bristlenoses rasp off and ingest natural algae growth.

Zucchini, cucumber, and shelled peas make great vegetarian pleco treats. Weight the fresh veggies to sink to the bottom for the plecos to find. Removing uneaten portions will keep water clean.

Do American Flagfish Eat Flake Food?

While constantly grazing on algae in the tank, American flagfish will also readily accept flake foods at feeding times. Choose a high quality flake with added spirulina or algae meal as primary ingredients. Soak the flakes briefly before feeding to prevent bloating.

For variety, flagfish enjoy freeze-dried and frozen meaty foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Live foods are readily accepted too. Provide meaty supplements at least once per week for American flagfish.

Chopped vegetables make a nice change of pace for flagfish. Blanched zucchini, spinach, and green beans are excellent options. Make sure vegetables sink for the surface-feeding flagfish to find.

What Do Nerite Snails Eat?

Nerite snails spend their time steadily scraping algae off every surface in the aquarium. However, most nerites cannot survive on algae alone. Adding protein-rich foods helps nerite snails thrive.

Many nerites will eat soft algae wafers and pleading tablets. Look for sinking wafers made for omnivores. Break large wafers into small pieces for the snails. Scattering powdered bottom feeder pellets on the tank floor provides protein too.

Boiled vegetables are perfect to supplement a nerite snail’s diet. Thin slices of zucchini, cucumber, and spinach are excellent choices. Weight the veggies to keep them on the tank bottom within a nerite’s grazing range.

General Feeding Tips for Algae Eaters

• Provide an assortment of foods to give algae eating fish variety. Alternate between flakes, pellets, vegetables, and meaty supplements.

• Look for foods enhanced with added spirulina, algae meal, or kelp to mimic the nutrients in natural algae.

• Soak dry foods before feeding to prevent bloating and improve digestion, especially for otocinclus cats.

• Feed vegetables in thin slices or small pieces to allow algae eaters to easily consume them.

• Always remove uneaten fresh foods promptly to prevent water fouling. Veggie pieces can harbor bacteria quickly.

• Allow algae eaters time to graze on tank surfaces between feedings. Their digestive systems are adapted for constant foraging.

• Avoid overfeeding. Feed only as much as algae eaters can consume within a few minutes, 1-2 times per day.

While algae eaters get their name from dining on aquarium algae, most will readily accept supplementary fish foods as well. Providing a varied diet with both plant and animal material will keep algae eating fish thriving in a home aquarium. Tailor feedings to the particular species in the tank for optimal health.