Otocinclus or Amano Shrimp? :)

[DUHK]

Otocinclus or Amano Shrimp? Which is the better algae eater or over tank buddy for your algae defense?

[myjohnson]

I got both to fight algae but I voted for the amanos. Those little guys stay super active all day and eat algae all the time. Otos can be less active at times.

But honestly the best way to fight algae is to fine that nice balance with plants, lights, and ferts.

[Somefishguy]

what not a couple otos and a few shrimp....

both are peaceful and both will do well in a planted tank.

[Mzungu]

I've found that both are beneficial, like those above are saying. They eat different kinds of algae - amanos eat algae on surfaces other than the glass, and otos eat algae on both types of surfaces. Snails (nerites) are also incredibly beneficial. Like I said, they all eat different kinds of algae, and seem to be a great example of teamwork.

[Darbex]

It depends. Otos will be better at cleaning the glass. Amano are great for the floor and plants

[Complexity]

Both. As already mentioned, they eat different kinds of algae. So it's not an either/or type of question. They both do very well together.

I have about 55 amano shrimp and 12 ottos in my 75g planted. This is in addition to my 3 nerites (had more, but they left the tank) and 8 true SAEs. Combined, they do an excellent job of controlling algae. Many people also add bushynose plecos; although, I have a L204 "flash" pleco so I didn't want to add any other plecos to the tank. I also have a number of MTS snails in the tank, but their numbers are controlled by my zebra loaches.

Keep in mind that nerite snails leave white eggs all over the tank which to some is just as unsightly as algae.

None of this should replace balancing the tank's lighting, CO2, ferts and plant mass. That is the real way to fight algae. But having an algae crew does help.

[Sea-agg09]

They really clean up different stuff. I don't consider shrimp to be algae eaters, but more the garbage collectors. Shrimp are useful because they take care junk (extra food, plants, corpses) that is just laying around, which causes not only algae but ammonia spikes. I consider Oto's to be the far superior algae eater, but its apples to oranges in my opinion.

[OrandaMan]

I'm really glad for a lot of the information provided in this thread. My little tropical tank is in the process of becoming my big(ger) tropical tank (it's in the nitrite stage right now) and I'm planning for the old tank to become the home of an Indian dwarf puffer. My studies have told me that a) snails will be food, b) otos have the best chances for a fish of not being killed and c) shrimp might be okay if the puffer doesn't discover how delicious they are.

To be honest, I have little problem with a little algae as I've heard it can be beneficial to the tank, but the smaller tank has been only recently started building up a bad enough case of brown algae that I was considering scraping it off, but I think I'll save it to give the otos and shrimp a treat when I finally do the switch (in about two and a half weeks).

Again, thanks for all the information.

[DUHK]

Thank you guys for all of your input! I can't wait to put both otos and amanos in!

[djmatthewblack]

I've learned that amanos do not survive well with black angels. Whoops.
The zebras are bigger and even better about surviving. Otos are great little vegetarians.

[Darbex]

I am unsure the aggressive difference between black angels and say Koi or Zebras but my Amanos are thriving with my angels. However, I could never keep Otos alive in the same tank not sure if its the angels messing with them or not but I do just fine with Otos in my other tanks