Guide
Cleanup crew: the dream team for efficiency
Snails, shrimp, and fish that tackle algae and detritus — and how to combine them for a tidy, balanced tank.
What a cleanup crew does
A cleanup crew doesn’t replace good maintenance (water changes, not overfeeding), but it helps. Algae grazers and detritus eaters keep glass, decor, and substrate a bit cleaner and consume leftover food and organic waste. The “dream team” depends on tank size, water parameters, and what you already keep — but these are the workhorses many aquarists rely on.
Snails
- Nerite snails: Great algae grazers on glass and hardscape; don’t reproduce in freshwater (eggs need brackish water). One or two per 10 gallons is a common start.
- Mystery snails: Larger, good for algae and leftover food; lay eggs above waterline so you can control numbers.
- Malaysian trumpet snails (MTS): Burrow in substrate and stir it; eat detritus. Reproduce readily — some love them, others consider them pests.
Shrimp
- Amano shrimp: Among the best algae eaters; tackle hair algae and film. Need stable water; often 1–2 per 5 gallons.
- Neocaridina (cherry shrimp): Smaller, breed easily, graze algae and biofilm. Good in planted tanks without aggressive fish.
Fish
- Otocinclus: Small, peaceful algae specialists. Keep in groups (e.g. 4–6); need mature tanks with biofilm and optional veg. Sensitive to poor water quality.
- Siamese algae eater (true SAE): Eats hair algae and similar; can get territorial when older. One per tank unless very large. Avoid lookalikes (e.g. Chinese algae eater) that get aggressive.
- Bristlenose pleco: Eats algae and veg; manageable size. One per tank in most setups; provide hiding spots and optional sinking veg.
A simple dream team (example)
For a 20–30 gallon planted community: a few nerites + a small group of amanos + a group of otos (if the tank is mature and you have no aggressive fish). Adjust numbers to your size and stock. Track who you add in a tank log or fish tank app like App-aquatic so you don’t overstock and can plan compatibility.
Quick takeaways
- Cleanup crew = snails (e.g. nerite, mystery), shrimp (amano, cherry), and algae-eating fish (otos, true SAE, bristlenose).
- Match species to tank size, water, and tank mates; don’t rely on them to fix overfeeding or poor maintenance.
- Combine a few types (e.g. nerites + amanos + otos) for broad coverage.