Algae eating fish

Question
Hello Renee.I have a new aquarium (65 gal.,Seaclear II System,acrylic,no live plants) to which I have added 8 African Cichlids (4 Yellow Labs,and 4 Blue Johannii).All are approx. 2 to 2 1/4" in size.That was about 3 weeks ago,and they are LOVING it!Everything is great.It is now time to add an algae eater/s?In your expert opinion;could you please suggest which would be the absolute BEST performer for this setup?Compatibility issues?Should I lean toward a single fish of comparable size,or think about a couple/few of a smaller size?There seems to be quite a variety out there.The only research I have done on my own was on the "forum" type sites,and with so many conflicting opinions out there,it really only leaves me confused!The only ones I have had ANY experience with in the past,were the standard "Plecos".But they have always seemed to grow much too large,too quickly!And I'd really like to stay away from them this time.I appreciate your time and any advice that you can offer. Best Regards,Bob

Answer
Hi Bob!  I agree with you about Plecos.  So many get them and don't realize how huge these guys get, or how much they poop.  They are very difficult on the system, because of the waste they exhude.

Well, in my african cichlid tank, I used snails (yes, I know someone out there will blast me for this, lol...because they make such a tastey food for a cichlid), and I used very large snails that they were not tempted to eat.  Apple snails, Mystery Snails and Indonesian Live Bearing Snails are wonderful to eat algae in a system and if introduced while the fish are still small, and the snails are full-sized, there is little chance they will eat them.

If you don't do snails, then I'd suggest getting the chinese algae eaters.  If they mature alongside the fish, the fish will be less likely to chew them, but when these fish are territorial adults, if you introduce anything, it will most likely become a victim.  Do it now, while they are small.

If you go with a pleco, choose a bristlenose or something that doesn't get too large.  Banjos are nice also.  Check water conditions constantly if you go with a pleco.  They are virtually poop/nitrate factories. :)

Good luck Bob.  Happiest holidays.

Renee