Cleaning fish or aquarium cleaners is a term that is not too unfamiliar to us. Besides water filtration tools, cleaning fish are a very important component in aquascaping. So what are the popular cleaning fish species today? What are their benefits? Let’s explore together aquaplantshub.com through the article below!
Classification of cleaning fish species by characteristics
Cleaning fish are currently very popular in aquariums. These fish are usually easy to care for and do not require meticulous maintenance. Because of this characteristic, they have become widely favored. It is very easy to distinguish different types of cleaning fish based on their feeding habits and activity environments. There are 3 main types as follows:
- Surface feeders: these are small species that swim close to the water’s surface. Their food consists of leftover substances floating on the water’s surface.
- Mid-water feeders: this species is not very common. They usually eat decayed algae and moss. This helps prevent rotting and water pollution in the aquarium.
- Bottom feeders: this is probably the most common species. Their main task is to process leftover food and waste beneath the surface of the tank. They ensure cleanliness for the aquarium.
General benefits
The vast majority of cleaning fish species are very easy to care for and very gentle. They are considered meticulous and diligent cleaning staff. Helping owners clean up leftover debris and waste in the tank is very useful. Additionally, the shapes and colors of these species are quite diverse. They can be utilized to further decorate the aquarium, making it more vibrant.
5 popular and easily found cleaning fish species
Glass catfish
At the top of today’s list of fish is the glass catfish, which originates from South America. This species adapts quite well to various living environments. Therefore, they are very commonly kept. Being a nocturnal creature that enjoys eating slime, the glass catfish naturally becomes the most valuable “cleaning staff” at the bottom of the tank. You should keep 1-2 small to medium-sized glass catfish. They will perform better than larger ones, as larger fish tend to stay in one place.
Pencil fish
This is a small fish species that is very easy to identify. Pencil fish originate from Thailand. Their main food consists of algae and moss in the tank. Additionally, they can also eat industrial food for other ornamental fish species. This is also a noteworthy characteristic when you keep them with other fish species. Because when there is industrial food, they will be lazy to eat algae and moss, leading to water pollution in the tank. Moreover, as pencil fish grow, they tend to be lazier in eating algae and moss than when they were smaller.
Butterfly pleco
The butterfly pleco has a shape just like its name. Resembling a pipa (Chinese lute), its skin has patterns like butterfly wings. This species has many fins and usually clings to rocks and gravel. Its main food source consists of algae and moss on the rocks. Therefore, for aquariums with decorative stones, it is very suitable to keep this species. Their eye-catching appearance is also one of the reasons we should not overlook the butterfly pleco.
Borneo sucker fish
The Borneo sucker fish, also known as the algae eater, is a familiar cleaning fish species for aquarium enthusiasts. They can easily live in any conditions. Their diet is quite diverse. The Borneo sucker fish can eat decayed algae, leftover food from other species, etc. Their lifespan ranges from 7-9 years; however, the larger they get, the more aggressive they become. You need to consider before choosing to buy this species.
Otocinclus
Finally, on today’s list is the Otocinclus. A rather gentle and small fish species. Their main living environment is the upper layer of the water surface. Therefore, it is not surprising that this ornamental fish species is classified as a cleaning fish. Otocinclus are quite easy to feed, as they can eat algae flakes, industrial food, etc.
Above are all the knowledge about cleaning fish that we bring to you. We hope that through this article, you will gain more understanding about aquascaping.
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