Do Guppies eat Algae?

**bigbites** · 05-06-2012, 11:14 PM

I have some brown algae on my plants and some of the rocks in my tank.. and it looks to me like my guppies are pecking the plant leaves with the algae on them (Plastic plants).

Do they eat algae..or is the plant pecking normal..?

**TheVoldevader** · 05-06-2012, 11:18 PM

I've never kept guppies, but I've heard they do eat algae. Livebearers need a healthy dose of plant matter in their diet

**Aeonflame** · 05-07-2012, 12:48 AM

I have a self sustaining tub outside with guppies, plants and algae. I never feed them.

**bigbites** · 05-07-2012, 08:28 PM

Very cool.. ty.. Now my golden Algae eater has competition :)

**eminentpenguin** · 05-07-2012, 09:02 PM

During the first 24 hours after I introduce new guppies into my tank, I've noticed that they'll peck away at algae in the tank.

**bigbites** · 05-08-2012, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by eminentpenguin

During the first 24 hours after I introduce new guppies into my tank, I've noticed that they'll peck away at algae in the tank.

Any idea why during the first 24 hrs? That was my case as well

**eminentpenguin** · 05-08-2012, 04:17 AM

My theory is that I'm not feeding them :)

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-08-2012, 07:06 AM

Brown algae is Diatoms. I can't imagine guppies eating Diatoms. They may pick at it but likely will not get rid of it. Generally that's a job we take care of ourselves until it goes away on it's own in a couple months. Diatoms is not generally an algae that fish eat.

**bigbites** · 05-08-2012, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Brown algae is Diatoms. I can't imagine guppies eating Diatoms. They may pick at it but likely will not get rid of it. Generally that's a job we take care of ourselves until it goes away on it's own in a couple months. Diatoms is not generally an algae that fish eat.

Turns out the Guppies were just pecking..

However my golden Algae eater is cleaning house..