If your aquarium tank has an overgrowth of algae, it can make your aquarium unsightly. As long as the algae growth in is within limits, it should not pose any concern. But, algae growth can be a huge concern when it goes out of control. It can lower the quality of water.
If your aquarium needs natural cleaning, the best fish that clean the tank is Suckermouthed catfish like Common and Sailfin Plecos, Bristlenose and Otocinclus. In fact, if you have an algae overgrowth in your tank, it is a good idea to keep Otocinclus catfish, siphon gobies, and bristle nose plecos as the best clean fish for your tank.
Why Should You Keep Your Aquarium Clean?
Cleaning your tank is important because it helps remove anything that may be harmful to your aquarium. It would be advisable to clean the gravel. You should also use a sponge to clean the insides of the tank to remove extra algae.
An aquarium is, obviously, a system created by humans. Unlike in a natural aquatic ecosystem, it does not have abiotic elements added naturally to the water. Moreover, the water ecosystem here has a very limited space. That makes it obvious to clean the aquarium and its components at regular intervals to ensure that all living beings can survive. One of the best ways to do this is to keep cleaner fish for the tank.
What happens if you do not clean the tank? A dirty tank can be home to harmful bacteria, fungus, viruses, and other elements. It can also have an unbalanced pH level, which means the nutrients will not be at their optimum level.
How do Aquarium Fish help Clean the Tank?
If you want to find the best option to clean your freshwater aquarium tank, it is always advisable to look for “in-house” methods. The cleaning crew or the cleaner fish have always been used as a concept for cleaning aquarium tanks.
There are several species of fish that are known to help you clean the tank and act as cleaner fish for your tank. These fish species eat green algae and even other foodstuff. The Suckermouthed catfish like Common and Sailfin Plecos, Bristlenose and Otocinclus have widely been used for reducing the algae concentration in the tank. Some good options you would find helpful include Siamese Flying Fox, Mollies, Chinese Algae Eaters and Algae Eating Shrimp.
Best Aquarium Fish that Help Clean Tank
Let us explore the aquarium cleaning fish based on the type of cleaning that they help in.
A. Algae Eating Fish
These fish species prevent the algae overgrowth in the tank. These fish are generally observed to be bottom-dwelling. You would also find them feeding on aquarium filter. They are the best options for improving the water quality.
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Plecostomus
The Plecostomus is a species that includes suckermouth catfish, and they come in different sizes. These fish generally dwell at the bottom of the tanks and finish off any algae that they find. In fact, the Plecostomus are known as the Janitors of an aquarium because of their ability to clean up huge algae growth really fast. They are known to be the best fish for cleaning tanks more efficiently.
Most of the Pleco fish, which are also called suckerfish, come in a grey and black speckled pattern. However, it is not uncommon to find sucker fish with brown, yellow, and albino varieties. The Pleco is a peaceful fish and does not affect the other fish. Bristlenose Pleco is one of the best choices for fighting against brown algae, green spot algae, diatoms, biofilm.
Avoid keeping other bottom-dwelling fish in a tank with Plecos. They will gobble up anything that is smaller than them.
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Siamese Algae eaters
Siamese algae eaters are usually the first option aquarium enthusiasts would prefer for cleaning up algae growth or controlling it. However, you will find them very destructive if you have a planted aquarium. They are found to be experts in cleaning up filamentous algae.
The Siamese Algae Eaters can eat diatoms, green algae, and some forms of blue-green algae. They are also known for their ability to clean up leftover food and any other organic waste. Many aquarists prefer them as the best fish for cleaning tanks.
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Chinese Algae eaters
The Chinese Algae eaters come with a unique mouth constriction, making it easy for them to consume different algae. It belongs to the sucker-mouthed fish from the Gyrinochelidae family. It can be one of the best picks for the fish that help clean the tank.
The fish can become aggressive and fight with its own kind. That is why keeping only one Chinese Algae eater per tank is advised.
B. Bottom Dwelling Fish
Some bottom-dwelling fish that have been very impressive in helping you keep your fish tank clean can include
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Corydoras catfish
The Corydora catfish is considered to be the prominent clean-up crew for keeping your tank clean. It helps you clean the leftover food and the substrate. What makes it the best option is that it can live comfortably with any peaceful tank mates. It has been regarded as an aquarium tank’s best clean-up crew member.
A few users on Reddit claim that Otocinclus Catfish is an excellent and only algae eating fish. They can be pretty active and offer great versatility to your tank.
They can scour the bottom of the tank and actively search through the gravel. They can also easily work through the stems of the plants and find food. They are a worthy option if you are looking for the best fish for cleaning the tank.
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Bristlenose Plecos
They are also known as Bristlenose Catfish. They are known for keeping the tank clean. The plecostomus genus of catfish is known for scavenging and eating algae. They are the best option for finishing up food scraps and other types of organic waste from the tank.
They can efficiently and effectively eat up the algae that would otherwise cause the buildup of harmful compounds in the tank. These fish can also scrub off plants, rocks, and other tank decorations. Thus, they help prevent unwanted growth.
C. Detritus-eating fish
It is quite common to find detritus worm infestations in your tank at times. This can be an indication of something that might have gone wrong with the aquarium.
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Malaysian trumpet snails
They belong to the burrowing type of snails and have cone-shaped shells. They can consume practically anything that appears inside the gravel, including Detritus worms. They have been observed nipping algae buds and helping clean up fish waste.
They can be a good addition to your tank, but it should be noticed that they reproduce quickly. Keeping them in a tank may not be easy as you risk larger fish eating them up.
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Amano Shrimp
If you ask an expert in aquariums about the best shrimp for cleaning the tank, the most probable answer you would get is Amano Shrimp. While they have been known to be voracious algae eaters, they have also been observed to fight the Detritus infestation in your tank.
If you have planted aquariums, you might find them clinging to the aquarium plants. They do not eat plants but can form a coat on the leaves. In fact, they have been regarded as one of the best algae eaters. Amano Shrimp should be the best option to fight algae in a community tank.
A few commonly bred aquarium fishes have also been known to offer a decent scavenging of your tank without being so specific. Guppies, Mollies, Platies, and Swordtails definitely deserve an honourable mention as the best uncommon fish that clean tank. You might not think of them when you wonder about controlling algae growth, but they have been observed to be capable of feeding on algae.
Best Fish for Cleaning Bottom of the Tank
The best fish for cleaning the bottom of the tank include Catfish, Plecostomus, Rainbow Sharks, and flag fish. These fish are bottom eaters in any aquarium and help you clean the bottom of the tank efficiently. Corydoras, Petty, and Loaches can also be the best options.
We have also found the following varieties of fish to be quite effective in cleaning the bottom of the tank.
- Zebra Loaches
- Yoyo Loaches
- Bristlenose Plecostomus
- Twig Catfish
- Crayfish
What Fish Will Eat the Poop in Your Aquarium?
Actually, no fish eats the poop of other fish. If you notice any fish that eats poop, it may be because it might have mistaken the poop to be food. Even the scavenging fish such as catfish, plecos, and shrimp do not eat the fish poop. Instead of looking for the fish that eats poop, you should check out the best fish for cleaning the tank.
People- especially novice fish aquarium users believe that there is fish species that eat poop. But, in practice, there is no poop-eating fish ever. It is thought that the fish like plecos, corydoras, shrimp, and snails eat poop. But they are just that. They are believed to eat poop but do not do so.
You might have seen some fish feeding on fish poop, but it is by mistake and not on purpose. Next time someone asks you which eats fish poop, you know that none of them do. It is just that they nibble at it, thinking it is food, and then spit it out.
A Few Key Take-Aways –
When planning for keeping a few tanks cleaning inmates, it is important to pay enough attention to the following parameters –
- The Cleaning fish do add more aesthetic and a great look to your aquarium
- Each of the species needs specific care and food. Undertake a thorough research before you decide on any of them
- If you have bottom feeders, make sure that you are supplementing them with the additional food when their natural algae are low.
- Do note that you will still need to clean your tank, even when you have a cleaning crew in your tank.
What Type of Fish Cleans the Tank – A Comparative Guide
To help you understand the right fish that can help you clean the tank, the table here should provide you a simple “at a glance” overview –
| Fish Species | Primary Cleaning Role | Best Tank Type | Compatibility | Special Notes |
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| Plecostomus (Plecos) | Algae eater, bottom cleaner | Large tanks | Peaceful, but can outgrow small tanks | Known as “janitors” of aquariums, highly efficient algae removers |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Algae and organic waste cleaner | Best for non-planted tanks | Peaceful, but may nibble on soft plants | Great for filamentous algae, but can be destructive in planted tanks |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Algae remover, some detritus | Medium to large tanks | Can be aggressive, best kept alone | Best for algae control but may show aggression as it matures |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Algae and leftover food eater | All tank sizes | Peaceful, good with community fish | Keeps plants, rocks, and decorations clean |
| Corydoras Catfish | Bottom cleaner, scavenger | Community tanks | Peaceful, best in groups | Cleans substrate by searching for leftover food |
| Otocinclus Catfish | Algae eater, gentle cleanser | Small tanks | Very peaceful, needs to be in groups | Requires a stable environment and additional food when algae is low |
| Mollies & Guppies | Light algae eater | Community tanks | Very peaceful | They are not primary cleaners but help control algae naturally |
| Amano Shrimp | Algae & detritus eater | Planted tanks | Peaceful, best in groups | One of the best algae-eating shrimp |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Detritus eater burrows in gravel | All tanks | Generally peaceful | Can reproduce quickly; keep the population in check |
The Concluding Thoughts
Keeping an aquarium clean is a balance between natural cleaners and regular maintenance. While algae-eating fish and bottom dwellers help, routine water changes, proper filtration, and substrate cleaning remain essential for a healthy aquatic environment.
FAQs
Do cleaner fish only eat algae?
No. Just because your algae eater feeds on algae, that does not mean they only feed on algae and do not need additional food. Alge is very low in nutrition, and the fish needs to be supplemented with additional food, just like other tankmates.
How do I keep my fish tank algae-free?
Do not overfeed your fish. Leftover fish food is one possible cause of algal growth in the tank. Frequent water changes are yet another means to help prevent algae overgrowth. Of course, keeping algae-eating fish in the tank should be the best option, as it offers more positive results.
What are some aquarium fish that clean the tank?
Some aquarium fish that help you keep the tank cleaner include catfish, loaches, siamese algae eaters, plecos, amano shrimp, and nerite snails.
