Do plecos eat brown algae?

[manoosie]

Do plecos eat brown algae?

 

[Meredith]

I had a tube that was Covered in diatoms inside and out. My bristle nose (when she was small) cleaned the entire thing in just a few hours.

 

[QTOFFER]

I don't think plecos actually eat brown diatom algae; rather, they probably just knock it off surfaces as they're grazing for the green stuff.

 

[Simpte]

I don't think they eat it either. They may be a few species but none come to mind.

 

[malkore]

generally, no. Otocinclus (ottos) are brown diatom 'algae' eaters.

 

[kaz]

my deco's are getting filled with brown dots is this algae and will my ottos eath this?

 

[Jchillin]

Yes, the brown dots are diatoms and your oto's will devour it.

 

[kaz]

where does diatoms come from is it from sunlight? or nitrats etc?

 

[rich311k]

http://freshaquarium.about.com/library/print/nalgaebrown.htm Here is a little info about them.

 

[kaz]

should i stick any other foods in there for my ottos or a little of algae is good enough. i got algae waffers

 

[rich311k]

Depends. If they do not have full little bellies you need to suplement thier diet.