Please eat the algae

Spot and Luisa the goldfish are thriving in their green algae world, but we’re spending lots of time cleaning and changing water with no progress. I went to Petco with a list, but the salesperson persuaded me the dwarf flash pleco was a better choice than the bristlenose plecos because they were so tiny and she said the dwarf flash pleco would eat more algae. Well, I looked it up after I bought him and discovered they eat wood, not algae. Waldo the pleco settled into the quarantine tank quite happily on his piece of driftwood, but meanwhile the green world is growing and I want some help!
Here’s my list:
Siamese algae eaters/Crossocheilus oblongas (none at the store, but these still sound good)
Hillstream Loach sewellia (none at the store and the salesperson said they’re difficult to keep alive)
Ancistrus bristle nose (still want to get one)
I picked these because they don’t get too big, they are okay with water on the 70s, and they’re not eager to escape. We have a lid, but with two HOB filters and tubes for the air stones, it would be too easy for panda garras or snails to get out. Our petsitter suggested shrimp.
I’ve seen long-fin bristlenose plecos online - and albino and lemon ones. Is there any difference in hardiness or algae appetite among these?
If I get a bristlenose ancistrus, will it be okay sharing the tank with the dwarf flash pleco? Any other recommendations? I really like the hillstream loaches - are they actually very difficult?
Thank you!!

 

I have found snails do well with algae as well. My bn plecos do spend a lot of time looking for algae-and anything else they can eat-as well.

 

Most live bearers (guppies, swordtails, ...) as well as american flag fish will eat quite a bit of algae. As to your specific question i don't see the tank size listed...

 

Most live bearers (guppies, swordtails, ...) as well as american flag fish will eat quite a bit of algae. As to your specific question i don't see the tank size listed...

It’s a 55 gallon

 

I have found bristle nose plecos do eat some algae when they are young but mine soon lost interest in it. Maybe I feed my plecos too well I really think your best option is snails. Mystery snails in particular if what you have is just green algae. For black beard algae I do recommend the siamese algae eater. My mystery snails even keep the roots of my frogbit clean without damaging the plants .

I have heard of mystery snails going on a walkabout but so far none of mine have. Miss Sneller has come out of the tank far enough to lay a clutch of eggs on the front of a HOB filter but she went right back in the tank once she was done.

Should you end up with females you will have to be diligent about finding and removing clutches of eggs to keep from being overrun with little mysteries. Thankfully clutches are easy to see since they are laid above the water line and you have a bit of time since it takes about 2 weeks for the eggs to hatch. I check my tank daily for eggs but even at that I missed one clutch. She had laid it under the lip of a HOB filter. I check there now along with everywhere else.

 

I have found nerites are better for algae control than mysteries. The mystery snails need protein supplements in their diet as well. The downside to nerites is that if you have a female they lay eggs everywhere. They won’t hatch in freshwater, they are just super annoying and you can’t get them off.