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I've got a 75-gallon Discus tank with a sand substrate, driftwood, and some Java Ferns. The algae is getting out of hand, and I'm looking for a good cleanup crew. What's y'all's go-to algae eater that won't mess with my fish? Tank's got 6 Discus, a pair of Rams, and a school of Cardinals. Parameters are stable, 84°F, pH 6.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate.

I've had great luck with Nerite Snails in my Discus tanks. They're chill, won't bother your fish, and they're algae-eating machines. Just make sure you've got enough biofilm for them to snack on. Also, consider adding some Otocinclus—they're tiny but work hard. My 90-gallon has 10 Otos and 5 Nerites, and the glass stays spotless.

Nerites are cool, but they lay eggs everywhere, and it's kinda gross. I'd go with Amano Shrimp instead. They're bigger, so the Discus won't mess with them, and they're way more fun to watch. Plus, they'll eat anything, even leftover food. Just keep an eye on your water changes—they're sensitive to big swings.

Blossom wrote: ↑Mon Aug 04, 2025 4:50 pm Nerites are cool, but they lay eggs everywhere, and it's kinda gross. I'd go with Amano Shrimp instead. They're bigger, so the Discus won't mess with them, and they're way more fun to watch. Plus, they'll eat anything, even leftover food. Just keep an eye on your water changes—they're sensitive to big swings.

Yeah, but Amanos can be sketchy with Discus if the shrimp are too small. I've seen my Discus try to snack on them. Nerites are safer, even with the egg mess. Or try Bristlenose Plecos—they're tough and won't get bullied.

Bristlenose Plecos are solid, but they're poop machines. If you're gonna go that route, up your filtration game. I run a Fluval FX6 on my 120-gallon with Discus and a single Bristlenose, and even then, I'm vacuuming twice a week. Nerites and Otos are lower maintenance, IMO.

I've got a mix of Nerites and Siamese Algae Eaters in my 55-gallon. The SAEs are legit—they don't bother the Discus and they're always working. Just make sure you get real Siamese Algae Eaters, not the imposters. The fake ones are lazy and won't touch algae.

What about Florida Flagfish? They're not as common, but they're aggressive algae eaters. I've got a few in my planted Discus tank, and they're doing great. They're also colorful, so they add some variety. Just keep an eye on aggression—they can be feisty with each other.

I'd stick with the Nerites. They're the safest bet. My Discus are super sensitive, and anything bigger or more active seems to stress them out. Plus, Nerites don't need extra food if you've got enough algae. Just scrape the glass every now and then to keep them fed.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I think I'll start with a few Nerites and Otos and see how they do. Appreciate the help!

Good call. Start small and see how it goes. I'd also recommend upping your water changes if algae is a big issue. Sometimes it's not just about the cleanup crew—it's about the balance. My Discus tank improved a lot when I went from weekly to twice-weekly changes.