Which fish clean the aquarium (13 best): cleaner fish that act as sanitary workers

The dream of any aquarist is a beautiful and clean aquarium where healthy fish swim among bright greenery. But maintaining perfect order can sometimes take a lot of time. Fortunately, nature has provided us with helpers. There are fish and other inhabitants that are happy to take on the role of cleaners.

These amazing creatures don't just live in your aquarium — they work! Some scrape algae off the glass and decorations, others pick up uneaten food from the bottom, and still others even clean the skin of their larger neighbors. This doesn't mean you can forget about maintenance, but such helpers make life much easier.

In this article, we will introduce you to the best aquarium cleaners. You will learn which ones can handle green algae, which ones will keep the substrate clean, and how to care for them properly. A properly selected team of cleaners will help create a healthy and natural balance in your underwater world.

Over time, every aquarium develops a film on the glass, food residue, and algae—cleaner fish are excellent at dealing with this. These little cleaners not only help keep things clean, but also enliven the underwater world. Among the most popular are fighting cichlids, ancistrus catfish, danios, pecilias, and some species of guppies, but real pros such as leather catfish, emaciated leptopus, and girinus stand out. The main thing is to choose the right species, taking into account the size of the aquarium, the nature of the neighbors, and the conditions of keeping, because even the most useful “cleaner” may turn out to be inappropriate.

Why do you need aquarium cleaner fish?

Over time, a film and algae appear on the bottom and walls of the glass tank. Less light gets into a dirty glass container. The algae that forms spoils the appearance. In the natural environment, single-celled organisms constantly reproduce.

Cleaner fish feed on these organisms. However, the inhabitants of an aquarium tank are not enough to clean and maintain its cleanliness. Aquarium cleaners eat algae when they are hungry. Many species of fish clean transparent containers of plaque and algae.

Which fish clean the aquarium: the best types of aquarium cleaners.

There are several dozen varieties of aquarium fish that clean the aquarium and use algae that appear in the aquarium as additional food. The best aquarium cleaners, which are very popular, are:

1. Guppies.
2. Mollies.
3. Sturisoma.
4. Gyrinocheilidae.
5. Carps.
6. Siamese algae eaters.
7. Otocinclus.
8. Ancistrus.
9. Pterygoplichthys or brocade catfish.
10. Loricaridae.
11. Panak or royal catfish.
12. Severia striata.
13. Hetostoma.

Each type of fish that cleans the aquarium has its own characteristics. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Guppy fish – aquarium cleaner

Guppies are small livebearing fish that are aquarium cleaners. They are able to quickly adapt to changing water parameters. The fish is 3 cm long. They can live up to 5 years.

Their large fan-shaped tail fin is their distinctive feature. This species is peaceful and compatible with most aquarium fish. Guppies require regular feeding. These aquarium cleaners can be fed dry, live, or frozen plant and animal foods.

Guppies need to be fed regularly.

Mollies

Mollies are small livebearing fish. They are kept in small groups with more females than males. Mollies are peaceful fish. They get along with many species of aquarium fish.

These cleaners love animal-based food. For the fish to develop normally, they need to be fed supplements and plant-based food containing spirulina.

These fish love protein-based food of animal origin.

Gyrinocheilidae

Gyrinohyloids are members of the carp family. Cleaner fish of this variety eat plant-based deposits from the walls and bottom of the aquarium. They are considered the best algae fighters.

It is dangerous to keep these fish with other species. They are capable of attacking their relatives and other inhabitants of the aquarium. Girinoheilus feeds on plant food. It can be fed with ordinary greens—they love fresh salad and spinach.

They are the best at fighting algae.

Carp

Crossocheilus is a popular representative of cleaners from the carp family. These aquarium inhabitants are peaceful and very active. Representatives of the carp family survive in small containers.

The fish is peaceful and very active.

Siamese algae eaters

Aquarium cleaner fish are good at destroying excess vegetation. As they mature, their performance decreases. To fix this, you need to arrange a 3-day fast. The Siamese algae eater is aggressive only towards its relatives. It is neutral towards other inhabitants of the aquarium.

They do a good job of removing excess vegetation in the aquarium.

Otocinclus

Otocinclus catfish are universal cleaners. The fish is 5 cm long. Otocinclus are neutral towards other aquarium inhabitants. This species of fish cleans the walls of the aquarium, decorative elements, and large algae. Catfish should be fed plant-based food.

These fish are universal cleaners.

Ancistrus.

Ancistrus cleans the surface of the glass container well from plaque. Its body resembles the shape of a drop. The fish has small growths on its head. These cleaners live for about seven years.

Lifespan is about 7 years.

Pterygoplichthys or brocade catfish

Pterygoplichthys is a member of the Loricariidae family of catfish. The fish is capable of destroying large amounts of plaque and algae. These cleaners get along well with other inhabitants of the aquarium tank. Experts recommend placing driftwood on the bottom.

They remove plaque and algae in large quantities.

Sturisoma

Sturisoma is an unusual fish with an elongated body, long fins, and a thin tail. It is a member of the Loricariidae family. Experts advise placing plants with broad leaves, stones, and driftwood at the bottom.

These cleaners are sensitive to water quality. Therefore, a good filter should be installed in the glass tank.

This fish has an elongated body

Loricariidae

Cleaners of this variety have a long tail and an elongated body. Loricaria is an undemanding variety of aquarium fish. It is sensitive to water quality.

A filter must be installed in the aquarium tank with Loricariidae, and regular water changes are important. They are active at night. Experts advise placing driftwood, shelters, and broad-leaved plants at the bottom of the glass tank.

An unpretentious fish, active at night

Panax fish or royal catfish – aquarium cleaners

Panax is a member of the Loricariidae family. These cleaners should be kept in glass containers with decorations and driftwood. The royal catfish also requires good filtration and aeration. The fish are fed plant-based food, algae tablets, bloodworms, and sinking dry food.

This inhabitant requires good filtration and aeration.

Severilia striata

Sevellia is a beautiful small fish. An excellent algae eater. It quickly eats spirulina and other green algae. This species of cleaner is easy to breed. Sevellia is a peaceful fish. It gets along well with all inhabitants of the aquarium tank.

A very good algae eater

Hetostoma

Vladox tests The most important thing is that there are no excessive concentrations in the aquarium.

And

Phosphates

Polypterus is a very strong fish with very good health. A real fighter. To keep one Senegalese polypturus, you will need an aquarium of at least 200 liters, preferably more. A lid is a must! Polypturus can not only jump out, but also crawl out of the aquarium. It is necessary to leave a layer of air between the lid and the water surface, otherwise the fish will have nothing to breathe.

Polypterus photo

Polypterus photo

The aquarium decor can be anything you like. Stones, grottos, and castles are all suitable… Live plants are desirable but not essential. If all the conditions for keeping them are met, your ancient pet will live for about ten years. Water parameters for keeping polypturus: pH level of seven; the fish is not demanding in terms of water hardness and will feel equally comfortable in soft and hard water, but it is better not to experiment with extremely hard water (more than twenty units). Filtration is mandatory. Although the polypturus itself does not need aeration, it will not be superfluous for the aquarium ecosystem.

These fish are large and produce phosphates and nitrates. Be healthy. High-quality water conditioners and preparations that remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus are our everything.

Experts recommend not keeping several varieties of “cleaners” in the same aquarium tank. SAE and giraffe cichlids, labeo, and ancistrus are enemies. Therefore, they will not get along in the same transparent container.

It is not advisable to keep several varieties of “cleaners” in one aquarium.

It is important to observe the following compatibility features:

1. Cichlids are predators. Therefore, they cannot be kept together. Siamese flying foxes are large, aggressive fish. They can defend themselves.
2. For cleaners, it is better to choose peaceful varieties of small or medium-sized fish. It is important that these fish do not eat algae.
3. Siamese algae eaters and guppy catfish are best kept in large and medium-sized aquariums with plenty of hiding places. Otherwise, they will attack each other.
4. Large fish should be added to aggressive cleaners. For active cleaners, other fish should be fast.

Sanitation fish help keep the aquarium clean for a long time.

The main thing is to choose the right neighbors and place a variety of decorations on the bottom of the aquarium. For example, plants, houses, driftwood. Cleaners will define their territory and will not attack outside of it.

As you can see, there is a wide selection of cleaner fish. From small hard workers like ancistrus to graceful guppies, everyone can find a helper for their aquarium and personality.

The main thing to remember is that no fish can replace proper care. They are wonderful helpers, but they are not magicians. Ultimately, you are responsible for the cleanliness of the water and the stability of the environment.

When choosing these inhabitants, think first and foremost about their comfort. Healthy and happy fish will do their “job” much better. Create good conditions for them, and your underwater world will not only be clean, but also truly alive.