Do Platys Eat Green Hair Algae?

[biondoa]

I have been having a problem with green hair algae in one of my 20g tanks. I have seen a couple of videos on Youtube that show platys eating the stuff, or at least appearing to eat it. I didn't really want platys, but if they will get the job done, then they will be welcome. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[jpappy789]

I've heard they may pick at it, but I don't think you would want to rely on them being efficient removers of it...

I'm a firm believer in trying to figure out the underlying problem(s) with algae, rather than adding fish anyways

 

[tanker]

No, they will not eat it. Mollies may.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Platys seem to sift through plants/algae/decor trying to get any tasty bits. Being omnivorous, they might eat it if it was the only thing available I'd think.

 

[henningc]

Get some snails to do the job.

 

[Kaosu]

Hair algea is a symptom...most likley a symptom of to much nutrients in the water colum.

How offten do you do water changes?
Hiw big is the tank?
Stock?
Filtration?

Hair algea does not hold up well agenst large frequent water changes.

Sent from my SM-G900P using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[vwill279]

Get some snails to do the job.

There is no snail that I know of that will eat hair algae. Not even nerites attempt it. Amano shrimp have been known to eat it, but nutrients and high light with low CO2 are the main culprits.

 

[SnakeIce]

Maculatus platies, which are the common specie, may incidentally eat a little algae, but that isn't a food focus for them. Variatus platies do eat more algae, but their eating of algae is not likely to make much dent in hair algae growth due to how tough it is. They prefer softer algaes.

 

[tanker]

I agree with all the answers. I have never known any snails that would eat hair algae. Shrimps will eat it, but you would need about 1000 if you have lots of algae.

WC and decreasing nutrients maybe your best way, or a little hydrogen peroxide or Excel if you do it right,