Best Cleanup Crew for a Nano Tank (Shrimp-Safe Picks)

Algae on the glass, leftover food in the corners, a film on your plants. A good cleanup crew handles a lot of this for you in a nano tank, as long as you pick animals that fit the space and won’t eat each other.

Here’s how to build a cleanup crew for a small tank, and why we put our own bundle together the way we did.

What a Cleanup Crew Actually Does

A cleanup crew is a group of algae eaters and scavengers that each work a different part of the tank:

• Glass, rocks and hardscape: Otocinclus, with help from snails.
• Plants, moss and tight spaces: shrimp.
• Substrate and leftovers: shrimp and snails.

They help a lot, but they don’t replace maintenance. If algae is growing fast, the cause is usually too much light, too many nutrients or overfeeding. Fix the cause and your crew will keep things in check.

Best Cleanup Crew Animals for Nano Tanks

Neocaridina Shrimp

Cherry-type shrimp like our Mixed Color Neocaridina and Bloody Mary graze biofilm and soft algae constantly. They pick through moss and plant leaves where snails can’t reach, and a healthy colony breeds on its own.

They’re hardy, have a tiny bioload and fit tanks of 5 gallons and up.

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus are small, peaceful algae eaters that work over glass, leaves and wood. They’re one of the safest fish to keep with shrimp.

They’re social and do best in groups, and they need a mature tank with algae and biofilm to eat. They’re not a good fit for brand-new tanks.

Poso Rabbit Snails

Orange Poso rabbit snails (also in yellow) are slow, peaceful scavengers that eat leftover food, decaying plant matter and biofilm. They also sift the surface of the substrate.

They breed slowly, with a single baby at a time, so they won’t take over your tank.

What to Avoid in a Nano Tank

• Fish that grow large, like common plecos and Siamese algae eaters.
• Any fish big enough to eat shrimp, especially babies.
• Overstocking. A 10-gallon tank doesn’t need ten algae eaters.

Our Cleanup Crew Bundle

We built the Cleanup Crew Bundle to cover all the bases in one order:

• 3 Otocinclus for glass, leaves and hardscape
• 2 Orange Poso rabbit snails for leftovers, detritus and substrate
• 10 Mixed Neocaridina for biofilm, moss and plants

It’s $69.99. These animals are all peaceful, and they work well together in a planted nano or community tank.

How Many Cleanup Crew Animals Do You Need?

There’s no exact formula, but these are reasonable starting points:

• 5 gallons: a small Neocaridina group and one or two snails.
• 10 gallons: Neocaridina, a couple of snails, and a small Otocinclus group once the tank is mature.
• 20 gallons and up: the full mix, with room to add more over time.

Start smaller and add more if algae keeps up. It’s easier to add animals than to feed too many.

Feeding Your Cleanup Crew

If your tank is very clean, your crew may need extra food. Watch for Otocinclus with sunken bellies.

• Offer algae wafers or blanched vegetables like zucchini a few times a week.
• Add Indian almond leaves and cholla wood, which grow biofilm for grazing.
• Remove uneaten food after a few hours.

Shipping and Guarantee

We ship Monday through Wednesday. Shrimp and snails are covered by our live arrival guarantee on any shipping method. Fish, including Otocinclus, are covered only on FedEx 2-Day or UPS 2nd Day Air. Details are in our Shipping & Return Policy.

FAQ

What is the best cleanup crew for a 10-gallon tank?

A mix covers the most ground: Neocaridina shrimp for biofilm and plants, a couple of snails for glass and leftovers, and a small Otocinclus group once the tank is mature.

Will a cleanup crew get rid of all my algae?

No. It keeps algae down, but heavy growth usually means too much light or too many nutrients. Fix the cause and let your crew maintain the balance.

Are Otocinclus safe with shrimp?

Yes. Otocinclus are widely considered one of the safest fish to keep with shrimp. They’re herbivores and don’t hunt adult shrimp.

Do rabbit snails eat plants?

They’re generally considered plant-safe and mostly eat leftover food, decaying plant matter and biofilm. Very hungry snails may nibble soft or dying leaves.

Can I add a cleanup crew to a new tank?

It’s best to wait until the tank is fully cycled and has some algae and biofilm, especially for Otocinclus.