Algae eating tank mates

[Alecann]

Brown algae has started to develop on the decor and plants in my axies tank. Not really on the glass, just the items in the tank. I was wondering if there are any safe tank mates that will eat the algae? My axies are about a year and a half old, and close to 12 inches each, I have 2, both female. I am just not sure what I could add without risk of harm to my axies.

 

[auntiejude]

Pond snails or ramshorns. As long as you accept they'll probably get eaten.

 

[LippyNix]

Make sure anything you put in to eat the algae is small enough to be eaten without harming your axies! I've read through so many horror stories about axies and tank mates that I'm only willing to put in ghost shrimp and accept they'll be eaten. (There's a link to a list with photos of inter-species accidents somewhere on here, and many are axies and something else.)
Also, brown algae can be a sign of high nitrates in your tank, especially if it's already established. Check your water parameters and thoroughly vacuum/clean the substrate (if there is any). This is particularly important if you have large rocks covering the bottom. Larger rocks make larger gaps that are harder to clean between and allow for things to accumulate more easily and produce nitrates.